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ADDING TO LIFE “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, 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 1:3-7 Like a snowball rolling down a mountain adding and growing as it goes along, so too are we growing and adding to our lives as we get older. The real question is, “What is it that we are adding to our lives? Is it anger, resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness, or is it the characteristics that indicate the dominion of the Holy Spirit in our lives listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7 and Galatians 5:22? Like a snowball rolling down a hill, the natural end of a life rolling downhill is eventual destruction. But as one purposes in their heart to make the effort to grow in the Spirit we see the qualities of faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, kindness and love in increasing measure. This is the true indicator of spiritual maturity. It’s not about how often we go to church, or how many Bible verses we’ve committed to memory; it’s about how much of God’s Spirit is displayed in our own personality. If we don’t add the Godly things to our lives, the ungodly things will automatically accumulate; that’s natural. We will finish this life like a snowball rolling downhill. But if we will purpose in our hearts to allow God’s Word to transform us by the power of His Spirit we can grow in everything we need for life and godliness. Yes, it will take work, reading, meditating on His Word, spending time in worship and prayer, and getting to know Him intimately and personally, so that His nature will be transfused into our nature. His life will be seen in our lives. Wow! And that’s one reason why God has blessed us with the particular spouse we have –someone who can help us grow, challenging us, testing us, and lovingly correcting us when we tend to drift off in the wrong direction. We need each other to grow in godliness. Let’s make a conscious decision to add to our lives only that which will bring Him glory. Our own peace and even joy will be the result. Take His word for it! Question For The Both of Us: In what ways have we seen faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love grow in our personalities? Are we moving in the right direction? PRAYER FOR THE BOTH OF US: Lord, help us to not be like a snowball rolling downhill on its way to utter destruction, but help us to grow in the Spirit, accepting one another, forgiving one another, and together growing in grace and adding to our lives the fruit of your Spirit in increasing measure. |
© 2007 Marriage & Family Savers Ministries