Through the knowledge....

Got up early to read God's Word this beautiful, refreshing and rainy Saturday morning...

"To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ have received a faith... precious... grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord... His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:1-3)

And what's in the knowledge that has been brought to us by the Holy Spirit... the knowledge through which those, who have chosen to accept the Gift of Salvation, will receive grace and peace in abundance?

"...His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption of the world (doom) caused by evil desires (from the fall of Adam & Eve)..." (2 Pet 1:4)

The very great and precious promises so that we, children whom by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit call God "Abba, Father", now have an imperishable hope. We are the redeemed of the Lord!

And therefore how should the redeemed of the Lord respond?

"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, mutual affection... and to mutual affection, love." (2 Pet 1:5-7)

What happens when we have all these qualities in increasing measure?

"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." (2 Pet 1:8)

One word: fruitfulness in our Christian walk with God. The Psalm 1 promises. One more thing...

"Make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:10-11)

Confirming calling and election is not just about knowing your vocation and life-purpose - but it's also being sure of our salvation.This is fundamental. In the end of our lives, it's not how wonderful and dedicated we were as ministers that ultimately matters - it is our relationship with God; are we in right standing with Him? After all, ministry can only flow out of such a stand - and it is but our expression of gratitude for the Father only having truly experienced His love, mercy and grace in Christ. Otherwise, we are merely slaves... working for the approval of the Master. Ministry is a privilege for the child of God who has delighted in His love and wants to give back to Him a gift of gratitude - despite how small the gift in comparison to the great gifts of God.