Faith and Goodness - 23 Sept 2008

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 1:5-7 NIV

Peter continues in his recipe for a successful Christian life as he says in verse 3 of this chapter ‘His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness’  

Is this something that you can believe?  It must have been true for Peter.  As we go through this passage I promise that you will be challenged, I certainly was.  Believing that the spiritual energy and ability to be what Peter outlines is freely available will certainly assist you.

Peter then goes on to say ‘for this reason make every effort’.  In other words, you have got it, now use it.

First it is essential to have faith, a word meaning very much the Christian Faith of believing in God and in the salvation and resurrection of Jesus.  This is the faith we embrace at our conversion, a belief in God as a response to the Gospel and not perhaps the gift of faith which develops over time.  It speaks of our belief system and once that belief system is installed Peter tells us that we should begin to change our behaviour to fit.  He instructs us to add goodness.

We should begin to behave in a moral and virtuous way and live our lives rightly and justly.  This does not mean just giving up the bad stuff, it means doing good instead, being Christ-like in our generosity and compassion for others.  Notice the order here; it is difficult to live a good life for no apparent reason.  We change our lives because we have seen the example of Jesus and want to follow his example.  Of course this ability might begin in a shallow way as we renounce and repent of former sinful practices but will grow and deepen as we mature as Christians.  This way of life sets us apart from the people living and working around us.  We stand out, we become salt and light and transforming yeast, bringing out the good taste in others, illuminating and chasing away the darkness and influencing others for good.

Lord, please help me to grow in Goodness as I live out my Faith in you, I want to stand out as your disciple. Amen