‘But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.’ 2 Peter 1:9 (NIV).
We have all met those who claim to be a Christian and yet there lifestyle indicates otherwise. They profess to believe in Christ, but their faith stops there. Our faith must go beyond what we believe or even what we say; it must be a dynamic part of all we do. It must result in spiritual maturity and good works that indicate we are following the voice of God’s Spirit. A person who claims to be saved, but remains unchanged, does not understand what Christ has done for them.
Spiritual growth is not for the complacent. Spiritual growth takes hard work. If we truly belong to Christ, our earnest efforts to grow will prove it. Complacent people will be content to profess their faith, but not to act upon their words.
However, Peter sought to rouse complacent believers, encouraging them to work at developing the qualities he listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7. These were knowledge (learning to know God better), developing perseverance through self-discipline, godliness by doing His will, loving others and showing kindness.
God wants to produce His character in us. Developing God’s character is not optional. These are qualities that we are responsible for growing in our lives every day. We don’t finish one and start another, all of them must be a continual part of the Christian life. These actions do not come automatically, they require intention, determination and a dependence upon God’s Spirit. God empowers and enables us, but He also give us the responsibility to learn and to grow.
Prayer:
‘Father, help me to live well my faith in you. Help me to grow spiritually so that my life might be a testimony of your Spirit’s work in me. Thank you.’
In Jesus’ Mighty Name,
AMEN!
Final Thoughts:
We are saved so that we can grow to resemble Christ and so that we can serve others. However, complacent people will never be a strong, fruitful witness for Christ. Ultimately, in order to please themselves, they will not be pleasing Christ.
How well are we living out the principles of what we believe? Can others say we are changed people because of our faith in Christ? If not, what are we challenged to do about this?
Be Greatly Blessed!
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