Add to Your Faith
Date: May 15, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B – Bible Verse
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.
L - Listen for God's Word and pray: Prayer: "Dear God, as I meditate on these verses from 2 Peter, I open my heart to receive Your Word. Speak to me through the wisdom You have imparted. Help me understand how to grow in faith and virtue. Guide me in applying these principles in my daily life. In Jesus' name, amen."
E - Explore the History and Meaning: The second letter of Peter was written by the apostle Peter, one of Jesus' disciples. It was addressed to the early Christian believers and serves as an urging to grow in faith and godly character. The letter was written during a time of persecution and challenges for the early Church.
Peter is urging believers to diligently develop their faith. He encourages them to supplement their faith with moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. By living these virtues, they will become effective and productive in their knowledge of Jesus Christ.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases:
Faith: Refers to the foundation of our belief in Jesus Christ and our trust in His promises.
Goodness: Signifies moral excellence, acting in accordance with God's standards.
Knowledge: Implies growing in understanding of God's truth and deepening our relationship with Him.
Perseverance: Highlights the importance of steadfastness and endurance in the face of challenges.
S - Summarize and Share:
Devotional: When I read 2 Peter 1:5-8, it speaks deeply to my heart and stirs a desire for growth and transformation in my life. Peter's words are not just relevant to the believers of his time but they carry profound significance for us today.
In our fast-paced and often chaotic modern world, it is easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and neglect the growth of our faith and character. But Peter reminds us of the importance of intentional and continual development. He encourages us to add to our faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.
This call to growth is an invitation to express the values of the Kingdom of God in our daily lives. It challenges us to seek moral excellence and live according to God's standards, even when the world around us may tempt us to compromise. It prompts us to pursue knowledge and understanding of God's Word, cultivating a deep and intimate relationship with Him. It requires self-control, empowering us to resist the allure of instant gratification and make choices that honor God. It calls us to persevere through trials and hardships, trusting that God is faithful and will carry us through. It beckons us to embrace godliness, allowing the character of Christ to shape our thoughts, words, and actions. It inspires us to extend brotherly affection to our fellow believers, fostering a sense of unity, support, and love within the body of Christ. And above all, it urges us to love unconditionally, just as Christ loved us, for love is the greatest commandment of all.
So, let’s take this Scripture to heart and reflect on our own spiritual journey. Are we actively and intentionally growing in faith and godly character? Are there areas in our lives where we need to make adjustments and seek God's guidance? Are we embodying the values of the Kingdom of God in our relationships, workplaces, and communities?
Don’t be content with stagnation but make a commitment to daily growth. Make space for God to work in us and through us, shaping us into the people He created us to be. As we grow in faith and character, we become vessels of God's love, grace, and truth to the world around us.
I encourage you today to set aside time for personal reflection and prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas in your life that need growth and transformation. Seek God's guidance and wisdom as you pursue goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. And as you grow, may your life become a radiant testimony of God's transforming power, drawing others to Him.
Bible Cross References:
Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Colossians 1:10: "So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."
Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." This passage emphasizes the transformation that takes place in our lives when we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us. As we grow in faith and character, the fruit of the Spirit becomes evident in our words and actions.
Ephesians 4:22-24: "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." These verses highlight the process of renewal and transformation that occurs when we embrace the teachings of Christ. It encourages us to let go of our old way of life and embrace the new self, reflecting the righteousness and holiness of God.