Today’s Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9, NIV- “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
I am thankful that God’s divine power gives us everything we need to live a godly life. Some of us are slower than others yet as 2 Peter 1:4 relays “These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (NLT)
What? You and I can share in God’s divine nature? Peter encourages us in 2 Peter 1:5-7 to make every effort and give our diligence to add to our faith virtue; and to virtue 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.
Do you really believe we can travel this road overnight? God created us and He knows our tendencies. He created us to seek and follow His ways. As 2 Peter 1:8 promises “The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
One of my greatest challenges in life is procrastination and lack of production. Yet here, all along, God has been showing the way to being more effective and productive. The more we grow in our pursuit of His divine nature the more effective and productive we become.
Procrastination is in large part created by trying to please humans. Fear of failure, embarrassment, or not appearing perfect paralyzes our growth. How wonderful and freeing is it to know that if we diligently seek after the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, effectiveness and productivity will blossom into taking on the divine nature of God.
God equips us to take on His character by giving us His Word. In His commands we learn of His nature. Diligently seeking God’s Word, we slowly but surely take on the character and divine nature of God.
As 2 Peter 3:10 declares, when Jesus returns, He desires to find us living holy and godly lives. The only way to prepare our hearts to be His people is to diligently grow into who God desires us to be. God has provided His Word to educate and train us to be who He desires.
Peter wrapped up his second letter to us by imploring us to” grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (NKJV)
God has already given us everything we need. Will we grow today?
Today’s Prayer: LORD, thank You for Your patience and Your grace that gives us time to be saved. Thank You LORD for Your divine power that gives us everything we need to seek and take on Your divine nature. You created us and knew our weaknesses LORD. Draw us near and help us to grow to be closer to You. Help us to be more effective and productive as we seek to glorify You. I repent of my sins now and thank You for helping me grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Amen.
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