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“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.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV)

If you looked in my cabinets, you would think I had a side business – vitamins and supplements line my shelves. Jokingly, I used to tease my husband about all his nutrients filling up my space. But let’s just keep it real here – our food is so stripped of the nutrients we need, one has to do something. So in the Martin house our something is staring me in the face every time I open my pantry doors. And I have to admit adding supplements to my diet has been very beneficial. I definitely don’t get sick very often (even during flu season), and I feel much better. Laughter aside, my husband was on the right track.

Absolutely love the way the Apostle Paul emphasizes supplementing our faith with the tangible results of a life surrendered to God. Stacking the building blocks of our faith one upon the other, Paul lays out a plan guaranteed to please our Heavenly Father. Best part – we don’t have to rely on self. God has equipped us and filled us with the Holy Spirit which empowers and strengthens us to walk in excellence.

Sure there will be hiccups along the way; definitely no perfection sealed up here on this earth. We maneuver this world warring within ourselves, desiring to do life God’s way and yet giving into our own selfish desires. Paul knew this struggle well: “I have the desire to do what is right, but I do the very thing I hate (Romans 7:15-17).” Gotta love his honesty – we’re all there. Probably the exact reason Paul spurs us on to moral excellence (virtue), wisdom (knowledge), self control bridged with unmoveable feet keeping in step with God’s integrity. End result, we pour out deep affection and love for one another clear examples, living proof of the faith within us.

Keeping it real sweet friends; God’s grace covered Paul in those not so good moments and He does the same for us. But it sure does make Jesus smile when we hit the mark. Adding one upon another exemplifying Him in all we do – partakers of God’s divine power – claiming His promise to help us escape the corruption of this world and glorify Him.

“Father, so blessed by your grace and mercy. Forever grateful for endless days when You picked me up, wiped me off and set my feet to dancing. Love you always.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life