"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity."
2 Peter 1:4-7
I like this idea that we start out with the ability to partake of the divine nature through faith... the divine spirit as a gift from God, if we take the time and prepare ourselves to listed and partake. And then some great suggestions on things to add to that as we go. :)
Virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity: I am not sure they have to be worked on in that order, and they are probably all things that we have to work on throughout our lives, not things we can master all the way before we move on to the next. However, it is a good list/ladder for consideration. I know that that patience one there in the middle is a big stumbling block for me sometimes, as is temperance... staying calm, not jumping into drama... and of course I need to improve at everything else as well. Likely, most of us do, since we're mortal and fallible and all that. :)
Today, perhaps we can look at this list and compare the list against our actions and communications... maybe pick out some things that are hard for us, or that we need to work on. Let's try to add good things to our faith and discipleship. Let's work to stand up for good, and make the world a better place through becoming better followers of God.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity."
2 Peter 1:4-7
I like this idea that we start out with the ability to partake of the divine nature through faith... the divine spirit as a gift from God, if we take the time and prepare ourselves to listed and partake. And then some great suggestions on things to add to that as we go. :)
Virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity: I am not sure they have to be worked on in that order, and they are probably all things that we have to work on throughout our lives, not things we can master all the way before we move on to the next. However, it is a good list/ladder for consideration. I know that that patience one there in the middle is a big stumbling block for me sometimes, as is temperance... staying calm, not jumping into drama... and of course I need to improve at everything else as well. Likely, most of us do, since we're mortal and fallible and all that. :)
Today, perhaps we can look at this list and compare the list against our actions and communications... maybe pick out some things that are hard for us, or that we need to work on. Let's try to add good things to our faith and discipleship. Let's work to stand up for good, and make the world a better place through becoming better followers of God.
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