A FAITH THAT WORKS THROUGH LOVE

A FAITH THAT WORKS THROUGH LOVE
2 PETER 1: 1-9

In 2 Peter chapter two Peter shares a some remarkable things about how to live out the Christian life. In verse three he says that Jesus has the power of God, by which He has given us everything we need to live for, and serve God. He goes on to say that we have these provisions because we know Him because Jesus called us by his glorious goodness.

In these provisions that God has given to us contains according to verse four, “great and precious promises.” And as we shall see as we read further into chapter two that with these provisions, or gifts, that we can share in God's nature and that we won't be ruined by the world and with it's evil desires.

Peter says that because we have these blessings that we should do our best to add some very important things to our lives. Notice the list begins with faith, then the list ends with a God kind of love.

All these things mentioned are fruits coming forth out of our lives because of our relation with the Lord and are the fruit that the Spirit produces in our lives. (see Galatians 5:22-23 )

Add to your faith, add goodness; that is as you are growing in your faith, to develop virtue.

To your goodness, add knowledge; that is in exercising goodness,develop knowledge.
“Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” ( 2 Timothy 2:15 )

To your knowledge, add self-control; that is in growing in knowledge, develop self control.

To your self-control, add patience; that is in developing self control, allow God to make you more patient.

To your patience, add service for God; that is as we becoming more patient, we can began to serve God.

To your service for God, add kindness for your brothers and sisters in Christ;

And to this kindness, add love; that is while we showing kindness begin to exercise the love of God.

“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” ( Romans 5:5 )

“If all these things are in you and are growing, they will help you to be useful and productive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But anyone who does not have these things cannot see clearly. He is blind and has forgotten that he was made clean from his past sins.” ( 2Peter 1:8-9 )

As I considered this passage it really speaks to my heart that our relationship with God begins with faith, and ends up with love, from something that is a substance of things hoped for, to a having the love of God poured into our hearts to touch this hurting world through our lives.

"Faith works through love." ( Gal. 5:6 )

Prayer Father God help us to learn to add to our faith those things that will makes us into useful vessels for your love to touch the world through us. In Jesus name amen.