Monday, October 22, 2007

2 Peter 1:4-9 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificient promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

Peter lists several of faith's actions: learning to know God better, striving for excellence, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love. These are not optional. They also do not come easilty. Some of these are more difficult for some than others but God gives each of us the empowerment and ability to do them all. But we have to make the effort - He will not force us. Do not be surprised at or resentful of the learning and refining process.

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