- And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. 2 Peter 1:15 – After many years now of serving the Lord, the Apostle Peter realized that his earthly life was soon to be over. He then wrote this second letter to the church and even in this first chapter we see the heart of it was to propel them in their faith. Peter was reminding them of the basic things, that our life with God started with faith and that we should strive after things like self-control, godliness, and love to keep our faith life growing. All this he was writing down so the church would have his words forever as a constant push to keep the effort going after the things that will increase their faith. In our verse above we see Peter share that he was going to make every effort he could to make sure that even after he died that the church would be able to recall his words and keep growing after God. How often has that thought crossed your mind? What are you doing today for the Lord that will not only help others grow in Christ now but will help them grow in Christ even after you are no longer alive? What could that look like? It could look like investing into less mature believers so they will themselves carry the gospel even after you are gone. It could look like creating small groups or planting churches that will last longer than you will. It could look like posting online devotions so people can understand scripture for years to come. Of course be about helping others grow right now, but seek to leave the sort of legacy on earth that will inspire and encourage others to still pursue Jesus even after you’ve entered the gates of Heaven. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3283
- For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1:5-7 – We can always be growing in our faith. When it says “supplement your faith,” understand it saying that we need to add to and nourish our faithful walk with God by growing in the following things. Continually be growing in brother affection and also self-control. Our danger is when we think we have “arrived” and no longer need to grow in our faith. My thought over that is if you aren’t face to face with Jesus in Heaven yet, then we can still be growing in our life of faith. Today, while the entire list may seem daunting to work on, focus on one in particular and grow in that area for awhile. God wants us to grow, and here’s some areas He directed us to work on that will truly benefit us. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 746
- For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8 – Ineffective or unfruitful. This verse reminds me of the fig tree that Jesus came across when He was hungry. Coming to it He found it bearing no fruit, not offering to Him the things He designed it to offer. He then cursed the fig tree, showing His heart toward ineffectiveness and unfruitfulness. We are called to be bringing a continual offering of our life to Jesus. Every day giving ourselves to the mission of pointing people to Jesus. In order for us to stay on point, scripture here gives us some qualities to increase in. Things like virtue, knowledge, self-control, and brotherly affection. You want to find yourself remaining effective and fruitful? Keep seeking to grow in these qualities. For we don’t know when Jesus will return. Will He find in you a life mirroring that of the fig tree? One given so much and had the potential to bear much fruit, but chose not to. Or will Jesus find a tree seeking to produce the best fruit it can to offer to Him. Let’s set our mind on bearing much fruit. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2008
Daily DEVO 