Sometimes in our walk with Jesus, we feel we become stagnant. Could it be that we stop practicing the qualities listed in this chapter (virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love)? In verse 8, it says that if you practice these qualities and continue to grow in the them, that they will keep you from being unproductive and unfruitful. Feeling in a desert place? Feeling like you aren't moving forward? Feel "unproductive and unfruitful"? Start applying these qualities in your life. Ask the Spirit to make these known to you and to help you put these into practice.
To lose your salvation or to not to lose it, that is not the question today. However verse 10 says this: "...Be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure..." Regardless of what opinion you stand behind, you can embrace this verse. I don't know about you, but I want to KNOW where I am going and WHO I belong to. I don't want to question that. Therefore, I know that I am saved because of my dedication and love for Jesus. I have accepted His forgiveness and I live a repentive life. This means, that I intentionally run away from sin and when I find myself in the middle of it, I choose leave it and walk closer to Jesus. I choose to obey the Word of God in every way I can and know how and when the Holy Spirit reveals sin in my life, I get rid of it. Sometimes it takes a few times of the Spirit showing me before I submit- sometimes it's something that seems a little extreme. But when the Spirit prompts me to obey, it's for His glory and my best. Even if it's not printed matter-of-factly in the Bible, doesn't mean it's not from God. The Lord has told me numerous things to give up that weren't written in the Bible per se. Some examples are: coloring my hair, drinking, birth control, getting my nails done, wearing too much makeup, wanting my house to look nice with things, control of finances, control in our home- submitting to Joey, and the latest one (that I'm still wrestling with) is online shopping. As I said, some of these things are not specifically written in the Bible- God does not say, "Do not shop online". But he showed me that for me, it becomes idolatry. I spend too much time searching for something, then find out I have to spend ten dollars more for free shipping- which means I spend longer online trying to find that ten dollar item! Sounds stupid to some of you, I know. But for me, this is a real struggle! How far are you willing to go for the sake of godliness? I believe this is "working out your salvation" (Philippians 2:!2). I am not the judge of who is saved and who is not- but there are verses in the Bible that make me want to be sure I am intentionally obeying Jesus. Of course, your salvation is not based on your works (Ephesians 2:8-9) but if your faith is genuine, then obedience and works are a result of your relationship with Jesus. Verse 10 was after Peter exhorted us to supplement our faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love. Peter gave us these qualities saying,"For if you practice these qualities you will never fall." I don't want to fall, and part of that is obeying Jesus. When Jesus asked the disciples to follow Him, they left everything they had and knew to follow Him. I want to be willing to do the same.
~Leanne~
To lose your salvation or to not to lose it, that is not the question today. However verse 10 says this: "...Be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure..." Regardless of what opinion you stand behind, you can embrace this verse. I don't know about you, but I want to KNOW where I am going and WHO I belong to. I don't want to question that. Therefore, I know that I am saved because of my dedication and love for Jesus. I have accepted His forgiveness and I live a repentive life. This means, that I intentionally run away from sin and when I find myself in the middle of it, I choose leave it and walk closer to Jesus. I choose to obey the Word of God in every way I can and know how and when the Holy Spirit reveals sin in my life, I get rid of it. Sometimes it takes a few times of the Spirit showing me before I submit- sometimes it's something that seems a little extreme. But when the Spirit prompts me to obey, it's for His glory and my best. Even if it's not printed matter-of-factly in the Bible, doesn't mean it's not from God. The Lord has told me numerous things to give up that weren't written in the Bible per se. Some examples are: coloring my hair, drinking, birth control, getting my nails done, wearing too much makeup, wanting my house to look nice with things, control of finances, control in our home- submitting to Joey, and the latest one (that I'm still wrestling with) is online shopping. As I said, some of these things are not specifically written in the Bible- God does not say, "Do not shop online". But he showed me that for me, it becomes idolatry. I spend too much time searching for something, then find out I have to spend ten dollars more for free shipping- which means I spend longer online trying to find that ten dollar item! Sounds stupid to some of you, I know. But for me, this is a real struggle! How far are you willing to go for the sake of godliness? I believe this is "working out your salvation" (Philippians 2:!2). I am not the judge of who is saved and who is not- but there are verses in the Bible that make me want to be sure I am intentionally obeying Jesus. Of course, your salvation is not based on your works (Ephesians 2:8-9) but if your faith is genuine, then obedience and works are a result of your relationship with Jesus. Verse 10 was after Peter exhorted us to supplement our faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love. Peter gave us these qualities saying,"For if you practice these qualities you will never fall." I don't want to fall, and part of that is obeying Jesus. When Jesus asked the disciples to follow Him, they left everything they had and knew to follow Him. I want to be willing to do the same.
~Leanne~
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