Be diligent to...

 

I recently went through the drive-in window at a local fast-food restaurant. I ordered a hamburger and I was asked if I wanted to add cheese? No was my reply.  How about some French fries with that, no, would you like something to drink, no; all I want is the hamburger.  That is not unusual as we are asked to add something to our purchases on many occasions. Would you like to add the extended warranty or would you like to add the upgrade to a fancier model? The questions about adding something are very common.

Considering our salvation, do we add anything to that, do we have to contribute

something from our end?  The answer is a resounding no.  Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Pretty plain and simple, the answer is no. Our salvation is a gift from God and we add nothing to the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus announced from the cross right before His death, “It is finished.” The meaning of that statement declares the truth that the sin debt has been paid.

But do we add anything to our faith in Jesus? Don’t be too quick to answer no.        2 Peter 1:5-7 says, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” Wow, we can see from scripture that we are to add to our faith these godly characteristics. These are not added to save us, but we are to be diligent adding them to our faith so our character represents Jesus rightly in all of our interactions with others.

Peter concluded his second letter with these words, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”  May our joy in Jesus increase as we add to our faith and as we continue to grow in His grace and knowledge.

 

Pastor Marty