Morning By Morning #208

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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

2 Peter 1:5 – 7

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

If you desire to have the clear understanding of “full assurance of faith” (Heb. 10:22) as a gift of grace from God’s blessed Holy Spirit, do what this Scripture tells you. “Make every effort” to see that your faith is the right kind—not merely a doctrinal belief, but a simple faith depending on Christ and on Christ alone. “Make every effort” to have courage. Ask God to give you the face of a lion, determination, and an awareness of God’s righteousness so you may boldly persevere. “Diligently study the Scriptures” (John 5:39) to get knowledge, for the knowledge of doctrine will strongly confirm your faith. “Make every effort” to understand God’s Word—“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col. 3:16).

Once you have done these things, add “to knowledge, self-control.” Be self-controlled without, in your body; and be self-controlled within, in your soul. Be self-controlled when it comes to your mouth, your thoughts, your heart, and your entire life. Then add “to self-control, perseverance,” asking God through the power of His Holy Spirit for perseverance that can endure difficulties, and “when…tested…will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). Clothe yourself with endurance so you will not be tempted to complain or become depressed in your sufferings.

Once perseverance is won, add godliness, but remember, godliness is much more than mere religion. Make glorifying God the goal of your life, living in His sight and seeking close fellowship with Him, and you will have godliness. Then add “to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” Show kindness and love to all God’s saints, the type of kindness and love that opens its arms to all people and truly loves their souls.

When you are finally adorned with all these jewels, or heavenly virtues, in the proper proportion as you practice them, you will have the clearest evidence and knowledge of “your calling and election” (2 Peter 1:10). Thus, “make every effort” if you desire “full assurance,” for being lukewarm and doubting go hand in hand.

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

God’s Word has much to say about diligence, or “mak[ing] every effort.” For example, “The diligent man prizes his possessions” (Prov. 12:27), and “The plans of the diligent lead to profit” (Prov. 21:5). Yet one of the greatest passages is this:

Be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.

Joshua 22:5

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

2 Peter 3:14

Lord, help me add each of these virtues to my life so You may receive glory and others may know—You alone are God!