2 PETER 1: 5-8 (NIV) - “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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”

In this letter to early believers, Peter wrote a message of growing faith. His instruction paralleled the commands given by Christ in Matthew 22:37-39 when we were directed to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Here, Peter instructed followers to demonstrate their faith in more than just a belief, but in addition, to also grow in Christian character and moral discipline. With these words, Peter indicated that a life of faith leads to continuing to know God better and become closer to Him. As a result of this closer relationship to God, we will then take action to demonstrate improved self control, patient endurance, and love for God and our fellow man. We aren’t asked to finish one of these and then start on another. Instead, we are to work on all of them continually as a part of our Christian life. These actions do not come automatically, but they are not optional either.

This passage is a true illustration of a growing faith! It is a faith that will not allow us to be complacent in our relationship with God or with our fellow men, especially Christians. God has given each of us the responsibility to learn and to grow in our faith in order to translate that belief into actions which will be pleasing to Him. God also gives us the power which enables us to meet this challenge.

Can we identify a specific act we will take today to grow our faith and be of greater service to God and our fellow man?

Submitted by: June Thomason