Klahrs Devotionals

Thursday, July 29, 2010

"Everything"

2 Peter 1:1-11 has some wonderful truths that should be put into practice in our present walk with the Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them we may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

This divine nature is not an automatic self-propelling force. The verses following these wonderful truths create responsibilities for us. We are told to add to our faith. We are to supply our faith with a developing Christian character.

The springboard of Christian development is faith. The end of Christian development is love. All the other qualities spring out of faith and move toward love.

Out of faith comes goodness or virtue. It means the proper fulfilling of something. The virtue of a Christian is Christ likeness.

Out of Christ likeness comes knowledge, a moral discernment of right and wrong and choosing the right.

Then comes self control of both the physical and the soul. Patience follows and indicates we can endure with sustaining strength and victory.

Next comes godliness, reverence toward God and respect toward men. Brotherly kindness is accepting your brother as he is but not leaving him where you found him.

They lead to love. If you possess these qualities, you will be effective in your knowledge of the Lord and you will receive a rich welcome in the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Progression in our faith leads to possession of God’s promises, both now and forever.