Scripture to Read: 2 Peter 1:5–9
Since God has given us sooooooo much, today in 2 Peter 1:5–9, He now tells us what WE MUST DO each day. We must apply with all diligence, which means we must do our spiritual workout every day (Philippians 2:12). Now, we must be careful here. It’s not us, but it’s through God’s Spirit in us as we submit to the fullness of His power and authority in our lives. In ourselves, we can accomplish NOTHING (John 15:5). But, through being strong in and through Him, we can do ALL that God commands us to do each day. By our faith in God (which means clinging to, trusting in, and relying on God) and His Word, we are to walk in and put on the seven characteristics of God’s Spirit listed in 2 Peter 1:5–7. God tells us we must walk in these seven characteristics every day and here’s why: In 2 Peter 1:8, God says that as we walk in these seven characteristics, we will be useful and fruitful in knowing Christ even more. So, God tells us again that our life is about knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and imitating Him (Matthew 5:48, Luke 6:36, Ephesians 5:1). So, being like our Lord is the goal. BUT, any believer who fails to apply these seven characteristics has chosen to be shortsighted (shutting their eyes to God’s Truth) or blind to God’s Truth. God says they’ve forgotten that He has cleansed them from their sins (Colossians 1:13–14 and 2:13–14).
Challenge & Application
· From what we learned today, what must we do each day and how will you choose to do it according to 2 Peter 1:5–7?
· How would you say you are being useful and fruitful in deepening your intimacy with Christ each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!