December 16 - II Peter 1-3
This is a wonderful letter written by Peter to his Christian brothers and sisters before his imminent death. (1:14) He is writing passionately to help them remain strong after he goes to be with the Lord. The message is clear. It has two parts. Grow in the Lord continually, and beware of false teachers. Peter knew if they would do these two things they would be fine, no matter what else happened to them. The same is true for us today, isn't it?
Are you intentionally making the effort to grow in Christ each day? It is a process that takes effort just like any kind of personal growth, except maybe physical growth. Look at II Peter 1:5-7. It is a list of things we needs to intentionally add to our lives constantly. In fact, it is even an order for them to be added. Most people have not given that much thought to their spiritual growth. They think about their professional growth or their educational growth, but there is not the same intentionality with spiritual growth. This passage says that we must grow spiritually this way, too. If we do, we will bear fruit. (1:8). If we do, we will not stumble in our Christian lives. Can you see why this is essential for a Christian? Growth is not optional. Without growth, you will stumble.
Then, watch out for false doctrine and false teachers. The definition of falsehood is something that deceives or that leads in the wrong way. If we fall into false doctrine either willingly or by being deceived, we begin going the wrong way. No progress can be made when we go the wrong way. We must get back to the truth before we can begin to get closer to God's ideal for our lives. It is like taking the wrong road on a trip. Until you get back to the right road, we can't get to the destination. We can go fast, and we can cover a lot of miles, but we are not making progress toward our goal. In many cases we are going farther away. Don't be taken away by false doctrine. However, the only way to ensure that this does not happen goes back to the intentional growth. We must add to our virtue knowledge. (1:5) This is not just any knowledge, but the knowledge of the truth from the Lord and His Word. See how it all works together? I know the Lord wants to bless you and keep you growing in Him, but you must do these two things intentionally, or it won't happen.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I John 1-5.
Are you intentionally making the effort to grow in Christ each day? It is a process that takes effort just like any kind of personal growth, except maybe physical growth. Look at II Peter 1:5-7. It is a list of things we needs to intentionally add to our lives constantly. In fact, it is even an order for them to be added. Most people have not given that much thought to their spiritual growth. They think about their professional growth or their educational growth, but there is not the same intentionality with spiritual growth. This passage says that we must grow spiritually this way, too. If we do, we will bear fruit. (1:8). If we do, we will not stumble in our Christian lives. Can you see why this is essential for a Christian? Growth is not optional. Without growth, you will stumble.
Then, watch out for false doctrine and false teachers. The definition of falsehood is something that deceives or that leads in the wrong way. If we fall into false doctrine either willingly or by being deceived, we begin going the wrong way. No progress can be made when we go the wrong way. We must get back to the truth before we can begin to get closer to God's ideal for our lives. It is like taking the wrong road on a trip. Until you get back to the right road, we can't get to the destination. We can go fast, and we can cover a lot of miles, but we are not making progress toward our goal. In many cases we are going farther away. Don't be taken away by false doctrine. However, the only way to ensure that this does not happen goes back to the intentional growth. We must add to our virtue knowledge. (1:5) This is not just any knowledge, but the knowledge of the truth from the Lord and His Word. See how it all works together? I know the Lord wants to bless you and keep you growing in Him, but you must do these two things intentionally, or it won't happen.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I John 1-5.