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In Order. Growth

 

December 25, 2017.  2 Peter 1-3, Jude 1.

 

So you have already decided you want to leave a legacy of faith, but just having faith does not mean you are living a life that is glorifying to God.  You need to continue to grow in that faith and become more like Christ.

This passage talks about how to make sure you are continuing to grow.

(2 Peter 1:5-8) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Let’s break that down a little.  

Faith to Goodness:

Having faith is the first step.  Following after God also means keeping his commandments and being obedient to his word.  That means if you are truly faithful, goodness will follow.  Goodness is knowing right from wrong and choosing righteousness.  It is resisting to fall into the temptations of sin.  It is showing mercy.

Goodness to Knowledge:

When you start choosing to follow Christ and right over wrong, to continue to grow you must continue to seek God.  Find out more about Him; his character, his goals, what he wants from you.  

Knowledge to Self-Control & Perseverance:

Once you begin to learn more about the ways of the Lord, you can continue to grow by practicing self-control and perseverance. 

Perseverance to Godliness:

Have you ever had a friend who you hang out with so regularly you begin to talk like them, and dress like them?  The same thing happens the more time you spend in God’s word and time with Him.

Godliness to Mutual Affection:

This is when your relationship status on Facebook would read “going steady”.  You have a solid relationship with God.  You know He loves you and you are pretty committed but still have some reservations and need some time.  Make sure you are continuing to nurture your relationship with Christ.  

Mutual Affection to Love:

Continuing to be in relationship with God will leave you falling in love with who He is and what He has done for you.  This love will allow you to love like Christ and be an example of that love towards others. 

Where are you on the growth chart? What areas do you need to work on? There is no end all status to reach because no sin-inclined human could ever become the perfect servant of God , but you can continue to grow closer to him and become more like Him daily.  And who does not want to grow more into the perfect example of love?