Make Every Effort

Overcomer - God's Divine Power

Read 2 Peter 1:3-11

3 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. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 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. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Peter begins his short letter with some very encouraging words.  Everything that follows is an explanation of verses 3-4.  God has done His part.  Now we should do ours - by making every effort!

Memory Verse
Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God.  
1 John 5:5 NIV

Reflect

Questions

Can you think of any ‘precious promises’ that God has given you in the Bible? Name three.

Read the passage again slowly.  What specific actions are we called to ‘make every effort’ in pursuing?  Are you?

Is the effort to overcome evil really worth it?  Think about that all day today.

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for the many wonderful promises you have given me including the promise of a rich welcome into your eternal kingdom.  Give me strength to persevere in my walk with you. Show me anything that would make me stumble.  I want to follow you with all my heart, all the way home. Amen.

Share

Gather some family friends together and read the passage. Then ask this question:

• Talk through the list in vs 5-7 of all the things we should add to our faith.  What do these qualities look like in the real world?  Which one do you need help with?

DFM Nation

Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into a more in depth teaching on how Humility can overcome the deadly sin of Pride.  Take a moment to pray for and invite someone.