3.28.2007

Wasted Days. 2 Peter 1:1-9

Have you ever wasted a whole day? It's a pretty lousy feeling to approach the end of a day and think, "I didn't accomplish anything today. I wasted the whole twenty four hours." As followers of Christ this is even more frustrating because we know what we've been called to do. Rest assured Jesus doesn't waste time. He isn't lazy, so if we find ourselves in a state of nonproductivity we may find that we're not actively following Jesus. When we find ourselves in this state, the answer isn't to run out and do something. The answer is to pick your cross back up and follow him. He will lead us into areas of productivity and effectiveness.

2 Peter 1:1-9
1Simon 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: 2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For 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. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Questions
1. Why do you think "hard work" isn't on the list of things that will keep us from being ineffective?
2. How is it that we're able to "participate in the divine nature?"
3. What things can keep you from being effective and productive?

1 comment:

Unknown said...

1. Why do you think "hard work" isn't on the list of things that will keep us from being ineffective?
as you said tonight, because God has taken care of the Hard Work.
2. How is it that we're able to "participate in the divine nature?"
what is divine nature?
3. What things can keep you from being effective and productive?
ah...
waking up late, not sharing Jesus w/ people, not making the day worth while.