DCLM Daily Manna Sunday, July 31, 2022
TOPIC: Growth Through Diligence
Text: 2 Peter 1:4-10
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
KEY VERSE
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall
2 Peter 1:10
DCLM Daily Manna Sunday, July 31, 2022 OUTLINE
A parent, wanting to show her child that it was time to start crawling, dropped a toy some feet away from him. The child, after much struggling, reached the toy with joy. Some other time, after observing others walking about, the child learnt to stand. Soon after that, he took some faltering steps and later could even run. It took persistence and diligence on the part of the child to learn to do all these.
The virtues outlined by Apostle Peter in the text represent rungs on a spiritual growth ladder. The spiritual maturity of a Christian is akin to climbing a ladder, which calls for determination and diligence. Mastery comes through prayer and practice. The enabling grace required for this has been given by God who has called us to glory and virtue. His abiding presence, the guidance of His Spirit and the assuring promises of His word are ours.
Growth and the manifestation of the virtuous fruit of the Spirit demand diligence. It requires daily study and practice of God’s word. And “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever thing are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
Set before us are “great and precious promises” from Him who cannot lie. Do not give up. All hindrances and obstructions will turn to stepping-stones as you persevere. God is watching over you and the angels are cheering.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
I can do all things through Christ.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Philippians 1 – 4
