Steps To Godly Living

Steps to Godly Living

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

2 Peter 1:5-7

Just as an Amish child or a non-Amish child grows and matures, we must grow into mature children of God. Why must we do that? To make ourselves look better? To treat others in a more positive way? No, the ultimate reason is so our excellent character will reflect our excellent God.

God sets a high standard—perfection. That means that none of us can ever reach it, not completely, and not in our whole lives. Did God set this standard just so we’d fail? No, He gave it to us so that we will turn to Him.

No matter what society we live in, no matter how we are raised, no matter what heritage of faith we carry, none of us can be godly without God’s Spirit in us. We may be good in some ways. We may be kind sometimes, but godly character is from Him: “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Galatians 5:22-23).

This fruit isn’t “produced” by working harder, trying more, or living in a Christian community. The only way the fruit of the Spirit will flow out from us is for God’s Spirit to flow in.

How can we do that? First, we must understand our shortcomings. Genuine character starts with facing the reality that we are sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus saved our souls and allowed us to enter into eternity. But He also rescues our character on a daily basis as we turn to Him. With every step, let us praise God for where we’ve come and also submit to our Father’s leading and to where He wants to take us.

Dear heavenly Father, I’m thankful that I’m not where I used to be. You have begun a good work in me. Now, dear Lord, I submit myself to where You want me to go from here.