Grace and human effort

RE Verse reading–2 Peter 1:1-12 (day one)  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. . .for this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge. . .” (v 3, 5)  Peter is the poster child for the foolishness of human pride.  His early struggles with thinking he could serve Christ out of sheer determination are well documented in the gospels.  He has come, finally, to a more balanced view.  God’s grace is everything we need.  Our privilege is to participate in the divine nature.  This does not, however, exempt us from doing the work.  “Make every effort”, he says in v 5.  Not just a few efforts.  Not just one or two.  Every effort necessary to get the job done.  To your faith add goodness.  To your goodness add knowledge. . .  The list is long.  Long enough to keep a believer busy for a lifetime.  Grace allows no laziness.  Real faith equals real effort.

Author: Don Guthrie

Don Guthrie is the Senior Pastor at FBCSA.

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