2 Peter 1:5-9

"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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, 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.  But if anyone does not have them, he is near sighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins."  2 Peter 1:5-9

"For this reason" is a great phrase.  Its because of what Jesus has done to make us people who can escape corruption and participate in the divine nature, people who possess the promises of God including the Holy Spirit, that we can become like Christ!  Because this is possible, we are to make every effort to add these qualities mentioned in this passage to our lives.  I don't think Peter is communicating a step by step process.  We don't "graduate" to the next quality once we have mastered the current one.  I believe Peter is saying that all these qualities are important and they do build on each other.  For example, if I exercise self-control, great, but now lets exercise it over and over again, even when its hard, that's perseverance.  So self-control builds on perseverance.  We are told to be ever increasing in these qualities!  Here is the sweet part:  God promised that if we are increasing in these qualities, then we will never cease to be ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Christ!  Do you want to know Christ?  Then write down these qualities, meditate on them, and make every effort to grow in them.  I love how Peter is a no gray area type of guy.  He says that if you are not increasing in them then you are blind and have forgotten the nature and power of forgiveness.  In other words, if your growing in these qualities you will get to know Christ, if your not, you are missing the point of why Jesus came.  Are you growing in these qualities?  Are they increasing in your life? or are you missing the point?  Don't be blind or forget your cleansing from sin!  Get to know Christ!

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