Roadmap to Growth

How can I be Godly? Each Christian, when they come to the realization that Holines is not an option, faces this dilemma.

Your human nature wants one thing, but you now know that you need something contrary to your old nature. How do you get there?

Peter noted this same thing, and adressed it immediately as he started the letter we now reference as the book of Second Peter.

2 Peter 1:3 God's devine power has given us everything we need for life and for godliness. This power was given to us through knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and integrity.

We don't need books (you don't need this blog.) All we need is the power given by God's Spirit. He then goes on to document, in his opinion, a series of building blocks by which we can grow and mature.

First, start with adding integrity to your faith. If we don't stand for what is right, everything else that we DO stand for is worthless. It will crumble at our feet. Do what you say, and say what you mean. It really is that simple.

From integrity, add knowledge. Knowledge begins when we ask questions. Admitting you DON'T know everything is the first place to start in learning. Learn about God, his holiness and his grace. The best way to learn, is to experience it for yourself, if even in small doses.

To knowledge, add self control. Knowledge is power. That is a very old proverb, that is true. However, power without control is chaos. We must learn that we have to be responsible for ourselves. We cannot blame our past, our present, our parents, our teachers, our circumstances. To do so says those things are in control of us. But that is not right. We must take responsibility for our own actions (See integrity, above) and willfully choose to obey God.

To knowledge, add godliness. Put simply, obeying God. (see above)

To godliness, add Christian affection. This is not a mushy-goosy feeling. Nor is it a lustful interaction between people. Christian affection is simply loving people who claim Christ. Love the ones who are easy to love because they think like you. But also the ones who get on our nerves, dispite the fact that they seem to always stand on our very last one. Christ calls us to "love one another" many times in scripture, thus loving even those we feel are unlovable is being obedient to God. (See above)

And to Christian affection, add love. If you don't love Christians, it's going to be REALLY hard to love those who are set completely against you and completely against your faith and beleifs. But love is not an option. It is a command by Christ. We are not Christ's disciples (followers) if we do not love.

Do you see a trend? You can't love everyone unless you love Christians and non-Christians alike. You can't have Christian affection without integrity, and vice-versa. It's a complete package of building blocks.

So why is all of this important? Why spout for several paragraphs over nonsense?

2 Peter 1:8 If these qualities are not present in your life, you are shortsighted and have forgotten that you were cleansed from your past sins.

Take time today to remember what God has done for you. What has he really cleansed you from, set you free from, and that is no longer a part of your life. If you can't think of any, but can think of things that should, perhaps you should evaluate your walk with God. Where do you stand with God?

But if you can think of these things, don't forget what a blessing God has given you! Rejoice in what God has done for you, then act on it. Allow yourself to grow in God. Don't be shortsighted, but continue to grow.

More on why growth is important, later.