His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
For this very reason,
make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love….be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election. (2 Peter 1:3-8, 10)
God has given me everything I need to live out his salvation. I have all the access codes, all the resources, all the power. I just have to take advantage of them. Therefore, since all that stands between me and righteous living is my failure to take advantage, I must “make every effort.”
It seems that my Christian walk inevitably comes back to this: if I want God to move in a new way in me, I have to “just do it.” It comes down to whether I have the guts to take action or not. It doesn’t always make sense how Peter, James, Paul and the other NT writers can say, “God has completed your salvation in Jesus Christ, by his virtues, wholly apart from yours” and then follow that with “Now be virtuous!” — but that is universally what they say.
Somehow, the process of believing that Jesus has saved my life and the process of living a life that looks like his are one and the same.
Recently, I have failed to live in proper response to all that has been granted to me. God, give me grace as I roll up my sleeves and make every effort. Thank you for your gracious promises.
Ben Taylor 