S.O.S.
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.
2 Peter 1:5-8
I’ve been thinking about productivity lately. Historically, Christians have (as they usually do) ended up at two extremes on a spectrum. Either, it’s not about what you do or it’s all about what you do. But it’s not that we need to find the compromise of this spectrum. Instead, we need to see the answer as both. Here is what I mean.
Our salvation & adoption are solely based on Jesus' work and not our own. He was infinitely productive in His life & death. In His work, He has achieved the salvation of all those who will trust in Him. And God is sovereign over all of history. A sparrow does not fall except by His will.
But as the parable of the talents and 2 Peter 1 above remind us, there remains a necessary response to the gospel. Call it submission. Call it repentance. Call it trust. It's all these things. And call it action. As James says, faith without works is dead. Faith is the gift of God. But it's a gift we must receive.
We have been freely given such a great salvation and gifts for the sake of God’s Kingdom. So what will we do with it in a dark world?
If faith is a spark, we are to make every effort to grow it into a flame. We are to pursue faith, goodness, self-control etc. in increasing measure. How? Through prayer. Through increased understanding of the Scriptures and through the help and support of God’s people (past & present).
For Today:
Pray:
2 Peter 1:5-8
I’ve been thinking about productivity lately. Historically, Christians have (as they usually do) ended up at two extremes on a spectrum. Either, it’s not about what you do or it’s all about what you do. But it’s not that we need to find the compromise of this spectrum. Instead, we need to see the answer as both. Here is what I mean.
Our salvation & adoption are solely based on Jesus' work and not our own. He was infinitely productive in His life & death. In His work, He has achieved the salvation of all those who will trust in Him. And God is sovereign over all of history. A sparrow does not fall except by His will.
But as the parable of the talents and 2 Peter 1 above remind us, there remains a necessary response to the gospel. Call it submission. Call it repentance. Call it trust. It's all these things. And call it action. As James says, faith without works is dead. Faith is the gift of God. But it's a gift we must receive.
We have been freely given such a great salvation and gifts for the sake of God’s Kingdom. So what will we do with it in a dark world?
If faith is a spark, we are to make every effort to grow it into a flame. We are to pursue faith, goodness, self-control etc. in increasing measure. How? Through prayer. Through increased understanding of the Scriptures and through the help and support of God’s people (past & present).
For Today:
- Do you think what we do matters?
- Are you being productive with your knowledge of God?
- How are you increasing your faith at the moment?
Pray:
- Praise the Father for that He gives us everything we need to be a light in the darkness.
- Give thanks for Christ who worked for our faith and godliness.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others be productive and effective as His people.
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