And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Sometimes, we get so frightened by the thought of "works-won" salvation that we forget that love and grace ultimately call us to action, not just reflection. Action means effort. That's precisely what Peter is calling us to make — "every effort"! Peter explains why this effort is essential in the verses that follow our passage. If we "possess these qualities in increasing measure," they help us be productive in our knowledge of Jesus (2 Peter 1:8-9). Let's be productive for Jesus, knowing that as we "make "every effort..." the Holy Spirit is the power at work producing godly fruit in us that makes effective Christ-likeness real in our lives and influence on others (Galatians 5:22-25; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
My Prayer...
Mold me and make me, Father, more perfectly conformed to your will and more perfectly consistent with your character. I do not pray this for my glory but so that you can more effectively use me to share your blessings and grace with those around me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, January 5, 2004
"During the forty days after [Jesus] suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was....."
"[John the Baptist's] clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
..."
"[T]he Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who..."
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About This Devotional
Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
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