Effective, Fruitful and Enduring

2 Peter 1:3-11, “His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants of the divine nature. For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For anyone who lacks these things is nearsighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.”

Peter speaks with authority about becoming effective, fruitful and enduring Christian witnesses. But as he points out so vividly we need to be practitioners of our faith. A practitioner is one who ‘practices’ her or his faith everyday in every way not letting a moment slip by that isn’t bathed in God-light and God-love. We have, as a guide, God’s Holy Word in scripture and prophecy to help us understand holy living. We have no excuse for not knowing. We encounter the written Word and the spoken Word. We can also encounter the inspired Word of Christ’s very presence in us. We must make the choice to have these interactions with the Holy of God.

Prayer: Father thank You for this day and thank You for salvation through Jesus Christ. Cleanse me of impure thoughts, words and deeds. Help me be a practitioner of my faith in You through Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.