September 4, 2024

In 2024, we will strive to become more like Jesus by rediscovering the ancient practices of prayer, study, sabbath, celebration, and many more. Our knowledge of scripture, coupled with studying how Jesus lived his life while on earth, will help us become people that overflow with the goodness of God. Wednesday email devotionals will highlight the practices that have been discussed on the previous Sunday.

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

 

To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

 

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him, who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these, he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 

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, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

2 Peter 1:1-8

Devotional

This passage required quite a few readings on my part; there’s a lot in it. The opening greeting is so affirming: “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” How wonderful that I might receive a blessing of grace and peace in abundance—not just a little, but in abundance—and added to that abundance, “through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” Can I even hope to gain the knowledge of God and of Jesus? Oh please, yes!

 

Then the reminder that “he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature.” Wait a minute—through his promises, I too can be part of that which is divine? Really? Because of his own glory and goodness, such a thing is promised to a sinner like me? Amen, count me in!

 

Then there is that last LONG list of characteristics, qualities of being a maturing follower of Christ. At first glance, it reads like a lot of daunting work; but I really do want to acquire those qualities “in increasing measure.” I do want to grow in all of those ways—but I might need another translation to help me. Here are verses 5 -9 as translated by Eugene Peterson for The Message:

 

“So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Lord Jesus.”

 

In some way, when I read that list with the added adjectives, complementing and enhancing the nouns, this American, 21st century believer can see a way forward. I can understand the character goals and persevere toward them.

 

I encourage you to mediate on this passage this week and see how you might take small steps on the path, as you grow in your life with Christ.

For Reflection

This week, how can I add to goodness and knowledge in my walk with Christ?

 

Next week, how can I add to self-control and perseverance in my life with Christ?

Prayer

Oh Jesus, how glorious to be reassured of your presence in my life. How wonderful it is that you plan to include me in your divine nature and divine ways. Help me this week to meditate on your ways and to grow evermore into the likeness of Christ. Amen.

Mary Hoffman
Senior Music Ministry Director