For the men who often miss the mark

2 Peter 1:3-8

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 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. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is for men who often miss the mark,  men much like me, who love God and struggle with living a victorious Christ filled life.  The first question you and I must ask; is God speaking to us today in the above Scripture?  If your answer is anything but yes, quit reading, this will not be of any help.  But if you answered yes, then has He granted to us all that is needed to live life in the now?  Once more, there is only one answer, yes and it comes through knowing Him, not knowing about Him.  He has made promises to us, and this we know, God always keeps His promises.

Paul Wendell and I have a set time on our calendars for 6:30 on Thursdays, we come together to share and pray, and many days just to visit and encourage one another.  The other morning I shared a treasure I read in “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers.  It was taken from 2 Peter 1:5, “Add to your faith virtue . . .” (“Furnish your faith with resolution.”) by (Moffatt)  “Add” means there is something we have to do.  We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do.  We cannot save ourselves nor sanctify ourselves, God does that; but God will not give us good habits, He will not give us character, He will not make us walk aright.  We have to do all that ourselves; we have to work out the salvation God has worked in.  “Add” means to get into the habit of dong things, and in the initial stages it is difficult.   To take the initiative is to make a beginning, to instruct yourself in the way you have to go.  Beware of the tendency of asking the way when you know it perfectly well.  Take the initiative, stop hesitating, and take the first step.  Be resolute when God speaks, act in faith immediately on what He said, and never revise your decisions.”

Paul ask me, why were men like Chambers so much stronger in their walk?   My only answer was that they believe God and apply the Scriptures to develop their character and habits.  I believe most of us struggle with doing that, many of us did not understand the process, but now we do. Today as you read and study, apply God’s standards, and look to His promises.  If you have habits that do not enhance the character of Christ in your life, break them and replace them with ones that will.  Do not let your feeler take the place of God’s Word, it matters not how it feels, do what God says.  This is a good word to end on from the apostle Paul, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

http://fromourbackporch.blogspot.com/