https://odb.org/2024/11/24/character-change
2 Peter 1:5-9 NIV –
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 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. 9 But whoever does not have them is near sighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
In today’s ODB article, the writer highlighted the story of Dominique Bouhours, a 17th century grammarian who on his dying bed said – “I am about to die, or I am going to die; either expression is correct.” Once a grammarian, always a grammarian. Or I recall my son, who loves to do business, has a tendency to want to estimate or work out the cost of running a business when he enters a place to have a meal. Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur.
The emphasis this morning, however, is on our character that is honed over the years. Are we by “nature” generous or stingy? We use the expression “nature” – but that character trait was actually developed over a long period of time. It could have been driven by our humble beginnings or circumstances in our past, but anything done repeatedly over time will become a part of us, good or bad.
That is the thrust in 2 Peter 1. Make every effort to add to your faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. With these qualities, we will not become unproductive or ineffective in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. As much as obedience is better than sacrifice, what we become tops them all! Who we are in Christ matters more than what we do for Him.
The point is that we must add on positive Christian values and character traits, and the earlier we do it and the more intensely we do it, the more it will stand us in good stead in the long run. These values and traits will become a part of our character. Thus, instead of always criticising and tearing down, we are always encouraging and building up. We are friendly and approachable, instead of cold and distant. We are helpful. We pray for others. We serve God and contribute to His Kingdom. Perhaps we could one day say, once a disciple of Christ, always a disciple of Christ! Amen!
Have a great and fantastic Sunday worship basking in the glory of God as we reach out to Him in worship and see Him face to face in the spirit!
Ronnie's Thoughts 