Effective And Fruitful Life!
There are many deep things of God that we will learn as we get to know Him
better and see more of the heart of God. There are also simple logical
things which the Apostles tell us to be aware of as we make our walk with God.
Peter for instance tells us that through God's grace we have everything we
need for life and godliness.
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power (grace) has granted
to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge
of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which
he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through
them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from
the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
But we are also told by the Apostle Paul that this is all predicated by
having in mind the correct criteria for living by grace! In the book of
Galatians Paul says this...
Galatians 5:4 You have been severed from Christ,
you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
If the criteria we are seeking to follow is 'justification by Law' then Paul
tells us categorically that we have fallen from grace. So the blessing we
think we will receive as mentioned by Peter don't apply. Peter goes on to give
us the reason.
2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort
to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and
knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and
steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection,
and brotherly affection with love. 8 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.
What Peter goes on to tells us is that the true underpinning of the Christian
life is faith and it's to 'Faith in Jesus' that grace adds the virtues that
make for Godly living, as we grow in the knowledge of Jesus the Christ.
So put faith in Jesus (John 3:16) and gain eternal life, submit to God and let
grace have it's perfect work in you adding and increasing the virtues of an
effective and fruitful life.
Best wishes for Grace and the Peace of Jesus.
Attlee.
Another thought...
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