The Ineffective Christian
Hey Church,
I have been reading in 1st and 2nd Peter lately and some things have been speaking to me. Peter is writing to the early church and admonishing them to live a life that confirms the calling of God in their lives. Scholars agree that 2nd Peter most likely was written when Peter was taken and imprisoned by Emperor Nero and awaiting a certain execution. This letter holds a level of gravity and seriousness as this is the last words that Peter would send to make sure that elect of God were living godly lives and are true representatives of the Kingdom of Heaven. In this letter Peter gives a list of things that if a Christian doesn't do then, in his words, they are "ineffective and unproductive." You see if Satan can't stop us from accepting Christ as our Lord and savior then his next plan is simply to make us "ineffective and unproductive." as Christians. 2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 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. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. These are the things Peter states are what we Christians should be working on to add into our lives in increasing measure. Do you find yourself stagnant in your walk with the Lord? Do you feel like it is always one step forward and two steps backwards? Do you feel like you have knowledge of God but no power? Maybe we have to start adding to our faith. Faith is not the destination but the door that gets us to the path to our destination, which is to be like Jesus. James put it this way, "faith without works is dead" (James 2:14-26). We have to continue to grow. Continue to challenge ourselves. Continue to step out of the boats of life and be comfortable with the uncomfortable. We have to learn to be grateful and content but also not satisfied with the status quo. Aren't you tired of falling over the same step? 2 Peter 1:10b "For if you do these things, you will never stumble..." Help us to add to our faith and grow in our relationship with you Jesus.
-Joel
Song List:
Lift Your Head Weary Sinner- Crowder- https://youtu.be/xPpEOUVpxrM?si=6Ku38zbKJerJCgLV
New Thing- Hillsong- https://youtu.be/6_tbYkmVzXg?si=xkw6cG3N7Jppz8zO
What A God- https://youtu.be/3aqvX1xqPeU?si=2awyJin_576_9nuy
Praise You Anywhere- https://youtu.be/V39qPqyyB2A?si=5Cq7pAZDkXxddT2l