Devotion in II Peter 1

Daily Nugget:
Faith is more than just believing Jesus died on the cross for one’s sins. The “devils” believe that, but they are not saved. Genuine faith is a trust in God that develops and changes us. 

Acting on one’s faith begins the change. The first step of faith may not be easy. It requires “diligence” (II Peter 1:5) to resist the untrusting, unbelieving flesh and to move on to what we believe. That first diligent step is trusting Christ as Saviour and not trusting what we accepted in the past.

If we obey the Holy Spirit’s leading, our faith will grow past the point of just believing. The progression, as cited in II Peter 1, can be:

• “virtue” (II Peter 1:5). Virtue is godly, dedicated day-by-day living. It is the Christian character that grows when one first steps out by faith.
• “knowledge” (II Peter 1:5). After Christian character develops, one looks back on how God has moved and changed him and learns something about God and His ways. His knowledge increases.
• “temperance” (II Peter 1:6). As knowledge increases, the faith-driven believer learns to control himself and the lusts and desires of his flesh. Strength to say “no” to sin develops.
• “patience” (II Peter 1:6). Saying “no” to what the flesh wants to do strengthens another attribute of a growing Christian — patience. He learns he may fall sometimes and that temptation to do wrong can be overpowering, but if he draws close to God and keeps trying, the Lord will give him victory. He learns to wait patiently.
• “godliness” (II Peter 1:56). As his faith progresses, the greatest of all transformation occurs. He sees he is different from how he was before he stepped out in faith. He sees he is further from sin and closer to God. A Christ-like behavior develops.
• “brotherly kindness” (II Peter 1:57). When we become more Christ-like, we get along better with others that are saved.
• “brotherly charity” (II Peter 1:57). The more we get along with others in our Christian “family,” the more we will love them.

If a “no” to God does not occur in a Christian’s spiritual life, II Peter 1:5-7 show us how a Christian will grow in the Lord. Each step is necessary before the next can be developed. A lot can happen when one acts and trusts the Lord by faith.

Today’s Thought: 
“Part-time faith, like part-time jobs, can’t support you.”  — Author Unknown

 Words to Understand:
Temperance: abstaining; self-control

Today’s Reading:
II Peter 1
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 ¶ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12 ¶ Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
16 ¶ For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 ¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.