Saturday, December 12, 2009
2 PETER 1:5-11 - BE IT!
 posted by brianahern at 0:00 ||
About 3 weeks ago, I listened to a podcast of Francis Chan that truly convicted my heart. He was teaching and discussing the apostle Peter's reminder to all believers of the core values and qualities that are instilled in each of us when we accept Christ into our lives. Depending on the Bible version you select, here are a few of those values:
- Faith
- Virtue
- Knowledge
- Self-Control
- Steadfastness
- Godliness
- Brotherly Affection
- Love
Peter says that we should make "every effort" to exhibit these qualities in our day-to-day lives. By doing so, we will never be blind, near-sighted, or fail. Instead, we will be richly provided an entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Literally, I have not been able to get those verses off my mind or heart. We, as Christians, have such a huge responsibility to live out our faith in actions... not simply by words. If we truly want others around us to find Christ, we must diligently make every effort to make these values the core foundation of who we are. When we do, God will change those around us. We can talk all day... but can you live these out each day? Can you show self-control... can you show patient endurance... can you show love to everyone you encounter? These are the questions you must face each and every day, and in every circumstance God places you.
If we don't live out our faith each day, then we are simply living as hypocrites and those around us will never be impacted or changed. Why would anyone want to change and "become" Christian when there is no evidence of God's love, grace, etc. in our own life? I challenge you to read these verses over and over and make EVERY effort to establish them as part of your core personality every single day in every single circumstance. When you do, watch what happens to the people around you (and to you!).
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