Good afternoon. This morning, I went to the women’s bible study at my church. I always get tempted to not go. It is like a battle. Every doubt and fear creeps into my head telling me to stay at home. I remind myself, it is only 2 hours, and I can spare 2 hours for the Lord.
This morning, these verses stood out to me. The words are like a prescription on how to live a faithful life. The knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ will make our lives abundant.
Fruitful Growth in the Faith
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
–2 Peter 1:5-8 (NKJV)
Sometimes, people think if you are a Christian, you are perfect. They look for your flaws. Being a Christian does not mean that you are perfect. It means that you realize you have to surrender to God. I realize how imperfect I am, so I know that I need God. I can’t do this on my own.
God is merciful and kind. We get a new chance every morning to try and do better and be better. Of course, we will make mistakes.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
–Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV)
I can’t look around and judge myself by others. I have to look at God’s perfect standard. I know I will never attain perfection, but I can try and do my best to live a life that delights God.
Our bible study leader told us to make a list of each attribute, because each one is equally important. Wow, I have so much work to do…
Prescription for a good life
- faith
- virtue
- knowledge
- self-control
- perseverance
- godliness
- brotherly kindness
- love
Embrace This Beautiful Life 