April 5

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral virtue, and in your moral virtue, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self- control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness (phileo), love (agape). For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8.

There are times in our Christian walk when we need a performance check. Peter has provided the above verses for us to consider. If we are following Jesus; that is, we are denying self and taking up our cross, then there will be changes in our demeanor that begin to model Christ Jesus. All of this is available by faith in Jesus.

I find the order given by Peter to be interesting. The first mark of our faith is to be moral virtue. Yes, the world, while not fully understanding who we are or whom we follow, will be quick to judge our moral behavior. If we are not moral people nothing else will matter. Out of that comes a better knowledge of the character of Jesus-—we know Him experientially. His nature will in turn produce self-control within us. All of this is experienced with patience as we sometimes seem to progress only to experience failure following. But there is the ever-beckoning measure of godliness that begins to be seen in our lives. Brotherly love progresses to heavenly, agape love.

Only by denying myself, taking up my cross which is His cross, and following Jesus, can any of the above be true. Peter explains that we are not to consider that we are 100% in any area. He just declares that we are to see these qualities increasing. We are to experience an increasing usefulness toward God and others as our knowledge of Jesus matures. Yes, I can look back on my life and see the changes. Hopefully it is also true of you, my friend.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Your nature within us. I marvel at Your patient way of allowing us to increase in these qualities. Your grace is sufficient, Amen.
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