Now what? (2 Peter)

November 8, 2010 mondayswithmaria

I was certified as a NADI scuba diver in the desert.  Really, I was!  I received my classroom training in Albuquerque, NM, and completed my dive requirements in an 80-foot deep natural spring in the desert of NM.  The academic portion was easy for me.  I’m a student by nature.  I love to read and study, and luckily, the math calculations for diving were a breeze.  The hard part was in the water.  I’m not naturally coordinated or athletically gifted (my tennis skills were born out of hard practice and a love for the game).  With practice, I got the hang of diving and found that I loved it as much as hiking.  It offers a beautiful, quiet setting to discover yourself, commune with God, and explore this fantastic world.

Like sports, faith must be practiced to be developed and effective.  First, the decision must be made to play.  You must choose to be a Christian – “become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2 Peter 4b)  The “divine nature” represents the sacrifice of Jesus Christ which allows us to receive eternal salvation. 

If you’ve already joined the team, then it’s time for practice.  Faith alone secures salvation but practicing faith will equip us against the world’s temptations, grow characteristics more like Christ, and prepare us for God’s work.  Peter writes, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” (2 Peter 5-7)  Peter emphasizes that faith is first and the foundation for all Christians, but don’t stay an infant on milk.  Take off those training wheels and challenge yourself to add elements like knowledge (hint: read your Bible) and brotherly love (hint: serve someone in need).  2 Peter 8 states, “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Finally, after receiving Christ’s salvation and growing beyond simple faith, take action!  Peter encourages us to be active Christians.  On this trip, I’m learning how to do this better.  I’ve managed to awkwardly engage people in conversations about faith in a laundromat, hiking trail, and Wal-mart.  Get creative about serving God – Edward has taken on the practice of offering to pick up supplies from “town” for our camping neighbors.  It’s amazing how simply returning with a flyswatter will open doors for building a relationship with others.  What ways can God use you where you are?  “For if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” (2 Peter 1:10)  Peter doesn’t mean that you will see gratitude, powerful results, or a reward for your “good” behavior.  I think he’s saying that you can’t go wrong with demonstrating Christ-like qualities.  You honor God with them; you honor yourself.  The reaction and the results are God’s business.

My prayer today:

Lord, this has been a year of spiritual growth for me as I learn to be more like you and obedient to your calling.  Though I’ve made progress, I struggle with self-control, godliness, and brotherly love.  Help me to nurture these qualities through experiences with others.  Especially help me to be effective and fruitful in my interactions with others.  Amen

Entry Filed under: Christian living,Faith,God's Character,Serving

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