Blossoms of Surrender

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness, love.  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.  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”(2 Peter 1:5-9)

When we give our lives over to God through His Son Jesus Christ, we sign up to be on the right team.  The team who will win the battles that go on in the heavenly realms.  For this reason, God has given us an equation to go by.  He wants us to continue to grow in our daily walk and as we grow, He wants us to add to the character we have.  We develop more and more in Christ as we surrender ourselves to the direct orders of our Commanding Officer.  God has set this up so beautifully.

First, when you give your life over to God…you must have faith in His Son who died for you.  You must have faith that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and after three days rose again to life.  He now sits at the right hand of His Father.  We live by faith every day, knowing that God has called us heavenward.

Second, we are asked to add to our faith…goodness.  Why should we add goodness to faith?  Faith is strong, but it becomes even stronger when our heart is good.  A heart of a good woman or man can be known by their actions.  Faith is believing in God and having loyalty to Him, even when the circumstances around you test that faith.  Goodness is another word for someone who has a pleasant or wholesome character.  They are full and naturally people want to be around someone who is full, especially when the state of their fullness comes from having faith in God.

Third, now add knowledge.  Webster’s dictionary says, knowledge is “the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association.”  Knowledge of God comes through having faith in His existence, surrender to the price His Son paid on the cross, and living full in God’s goodness.  We become familiar with God the more we spend time with Him.

Fourth, we add self-control now.  Self-control is not an easy thing to swallow, but it is very necessary.  Proverbs 10:19 says it best, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”  Self-control is knowing when to speak and when to be silent.  Let God be the One to seek justice for you.

Fifth, we add perseverance with self-control.  It is familiar to think that perseverance would come with self-control.  They do come hand in hand.  Self-control teaches us to let go and let God.  Perseverance teaches us to hold on with all our might to God and know that no matter what He will come through because He is God.  He will be faithful!

Sixth, we add godliness.  I know you are thinking how can I add this.  It’s such a big task.  Take it one step at a time!  God wants us to examine ourselves daily.  Find out what is missing and work on it for Him.  Also, look at what you have that is working for God and use it to advance His Kingdom.  God has made you one of a kind and He wants to use your gifts and talents to truly bless those around You.  Don’t be afraid to stand out in this world.

Seventh, now we add brotherly kindness and love.  When you come this far, you can certainly add the kindness that God presents all throughout Scripture.  He never turned someone aside.  He was always there to help the widow, the poor man, the man with leprosy, the weak, the strong, the ungodly, the rich, the poor, the ones despised by all, He was open to helping all those who needed Him.  Love knows no bounds.  1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now these three remain:  faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.”  Love is the greatest gift we can give to someone else and the first gift that God gave to us through Jesus.

As you increase in the following qualities:  faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly  kindness, and love… You will become more effective and productive for our Lord Jesus Christ.  Is this not what we live for?  Yes, this is what we live for and it is the greatest thing we have!  May we live to the fullest in each area, looking forward to growing in the Lord day by day.

Lord, I pray that You will increase my faith in things I have yet to understand.  I pray You will purify my heart and make it good towards Your people.  May my knowledge in You increase every day that I live.  I pray that I would be able to increase in self-control as I stay focused on the desires You have for my life and know that it’s a good thing to be in control, under Your control.  Please help me to become more like You and to have a brotherly kindness, so I may love others with an everlasting love!  You are the True Treasure, the One my heart will love and live for ALWAYS!

Blossoming in All Things of You,