As we continue in our series of the study of 2Peter 1-11, we find Peter extolling us to add these tools to our growing toolbox…and this one may be hard to use on a regular basis; BUT ONE THAT WILL BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER…IT IS THE TOOL KNOWN AS SELF CONTROL…NOT SELFISH CONTROL!
You see, these tools I just mentioned have similar nomenclatures, but are used in TOTALLY DIFFERENT WAYS. First, Self Control, pulls in the reins of how we interact with those we may know and love…OUR FAMILY. When we use self-control in dealing with our family, we make our decisions and have our interactions with regard to what is best for our mom, dad, or other siblings…we want what they want, if in is good for them as well as for us. Do we hog the bathroom as we get ready for the new day…or do we make it a point to get in and out so that others have time for doing what they need to do to get ready for school or work? Do we look for opportunities to help around the house…or do we leave a mess and just walk away, dirty dishes in the sink and food left on the kitchen counters?
You see, the opposite of self-control is SELFISH control…a time when we make it ALL ABOUT WHAT WE WANT OR NEED, WITH LITTLE, IF ANY REGARD FOR OUR FAMILY OR OTHERS WITH WHOM WE INTERACT? God’s Word has plenty to say regarding self-control, but one of my favorite's follows: “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)
So, which tool will you be packing in your toolbox? SELF- CONTROL OR ITS EVIL LOOK ALIKE….SELFISH CONTROL? IT’S YOUR CHOICE!!!
The next tool Peter tells us to add is the tool known as STEADFAST…which means to us as believers….UNWAVERING FAITH, PERSEVERANCE TO ENDURE HARDSHIPS WITH A RESOLUTE HEART AND THE ABILITY TO STAND FIRM IN OUR FAITH THROUGH OUR GODLY ACTIONS; especially as we commit ourselves to doing God’s will when LIFE seems to overwhelm us and seeks to pull us away from being obedient to our Father. The apostle Paul shares this verse with us from Philippians 4:1, which reads, “Therefore, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. So, if you are going to call yourself a true believer in Christ, the tool of STEADFASTNESS will constantly be at use in your walk with Christ!
As
we continue to walk with our Lord, Peter extols us to add a few more tools to
our toolbox of FAITH as we combat the wiles of the devil as he seeks to devour
those who would try to live life on their own terms. And our next tool is one
that I feel many Christians fail to use properly…it is the tool known as
GODLINESS!
And how might one describe GODLINESS? It is what a believer seeks to do as one aligns their thoughts, actions, feelings and interactions with the world, to display an inward peace by imitating our Lord, Jesus Christ. IN SHORT, OUR ACTIONS REFLECT THE CHARATERISTICS OF GOD….WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? Paul, in his teachings to young Timothy says in Philippians 4:8, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
But, we must be careful that our desire to be a godly Christian does not come out as an affront to others that see our attitude as “holier than thou” or that might give us a lofty perch that allows us to look down on others who might be struggling in their walk with Jesus. So be GODLY in all you say and do…not GRUMPY AND GROUCHY THAT OTHERS ARE NOT AS GODLY AS YOU BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE. So, how’s your toolbox shaping up; and more importantly, are you acquiring these tools…and if you are, HOW ARE YOU USING THEM FOR YOUR GOOD AND GOD’S GLORY?
Come back tomorrow as we add our last tools and examine our need to live a LIFESTYLE OF WORSHIP…BOTH NOW ON EARTH, AS WELL AS IN OUR PREPARATION FOR HEAVEN….
LOADING UP MY TOOLBOX….READY TO WORK FOR THE KINGDOM,
WPQ
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