My guess is that a few of you have probably visited this blog a few times since the last post to see what follow up posts there have been to the conversation we began. I have actually been here more times than I can remember to continue that discussion but then I realized that I needed to wait a while longer before I do so. So why the wait? Initially I was expecting that I study the different character traits listed in 2 Peter 1, I will come up with practical steps on how to grow in each one of them. And I actually did! 🙂
Thing is, they are not quite the steps that I suppose some of you want to hear. I trust that whoever among you has desired to grow in each of those virtues must have come to the same conclusion already by now. So as I share with you the truth of the matter, I encourage you to seek God diligently that He may be found by you and the entire body of Christ may be blessed because you acted in obedience to Him.
As a first, no growth is going to take in our lives when we have not changed out thought patterns and out perspective on life in general. Paul urges us to think of the things that are pure, lovely, true, praise worthy, of good report etc and that is where the key lies. We need to be able to change the way we think about life as a whole and especially the experiences that we have. Rather than curse the things that we go through and ask God to deliver us from each one of them, we need to approach each situation with a humble heart and a willingness to learn all that is imbedded in it for out growth and edification. Why? Because those are the same tools that God uses to make us more like Jesus.
So how do we grow in goodness? By being good even in situations that call for retaliation.
How do we grow in self-control? By controlling ourselves even when we know that someone is trying to push us to the wall.
And how do we grow in perseverance? By persevering through the very things that we would rather avoid altogether.
How do we grow in godliness? By being godly amidst all the temptations and enticement to be otherwise thrown at us by the world.
How do we grow in brotherly kindness? By showing kindness to all even those whom we think do not deserve our kindness.
And how do we grow in love? By loving both the unlovable in our lives and those who reject our love altogether.
The only way this is going to happen in our lives is when we pursue with an unquenchable passion the knowledge of the Word of God. As we seek to know more and more of God through his word, we will develop the ability to see life through the eyes of Jesus and see others as he sees them. Then rather than complain about those difficult people that God brings into our lives and those trying situations that we face in ever increasing measure, we will see them as the opportunities God gives us to exercise the virtues that he calls us to cultivate in out walk with Him.
In other words, the moment you prayed the prayer asking God to help you grow in those virtues, you were in effect asking God to increase those situations and circumstances that push you to be the opposite of those virtues so that you can consciously be those things in each of them thereby growing in them. I have embarked on that journey as well and can not pretend to say that it is all pretty and smooth but I am sure having a great time as I see the filth in my heart come gushing out in each of those situations. I don’t get frustrated, however, because when the filth gushes out, then the character of Christ can rush in and change my heart for his glory.
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!! Yeah, it is alright to scream but right after the scream, find the courage and strength to stay on that road all the way. WHY?
Well, because the growing is in the being and the being is in the ugly situations of life. 🙂
Journey with Della 