2 Peter 1:3–8

To live successfully in the Kingdom of God, faith is required.

When we read the Bible and come to church we expect to get encouraged. However sometimes the only way we can get better is to start with the truth. The Bible tells us the truth about ourselves.

Romans 3:10-18
This is my baseline when I come to faith in Jesus.

God by His generosity and love has given us everything we need for life and godliness.

God says, “Don’t trust your feelings.
”God says, “Don’t trust your thinking.
”God says, “Don’t trust your culture.”

We are these great beautiful creations of God, but we are corrupted!

This is not a message about hopelessness.
This is a message about good news.
God has given us everything we need for life and godliness.
God has given us everything we need to restore us to His original beauty.
God has sent His Son Jesus to be our Savior.

Everything hinges on faith. All my life and future. Will I trust Him?
Real life in Jesus starts with total faith.

Faith leads to action.
Peter says. “Good, now add to your faith virtue.”

This word is best described with two words: courage and excellence in moral character.

This person pursues right action.
  • Honesty
  • Loyalty
  • Faithfulness
  • Generosity
  • Steadfastness
  • Conversation
  • Attitude 

This person is examining his life and growing in moral character.

The pursuit of virtue has to be first of the additions.
  • The desire to do the right thing.
  • The courage to do the right thing.
Increasing virtue also gives us the courage to act.

Without the desire to be morally excellent and the courage act on that truth, we will fail.
When you really want virtue you have to learn.

Step two: we add to faith virtue and to virtue knowledge.
2 Peter 1:4-5
If you want to escape the corrupt nature you have to put in some effort.

Understanding my state of corruption, how do I learn what is right? I have to add new knowledge, God’s revealed knowledge, to my life. I have to examine my life in comparison to how God would have me to live, in any and every area of life.

We are called to make every effort to learn.

Jesus did the work to save me but I have to put in the effort to grow in knowledge.

This week’s challenge: Read these passages this week.
Monday – Proverbs 3
Tuesday – Proverbs 10
Wednesday –Proverbs 4:4-8
Thursday – Proverbs 11
Friday – Proverbs 12