Advance
Add to Your Faith – Part 2

Scripture Reading:  2 Peter 1:1-9

Key Verse: 2 Peter 1:5

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge

Yesterday’s devotional explained the biblical concept of advancing.  Today I want to highlight the biblical emphasis on this concept: “Make every effort.”  This must not be a casual thought for those who have stepped into God’s family by faith in Jesus Christ.  This thought of advancing in our faith must take top priority.  We must realize that the enemy will be bringing on an all out assault on our walk with God.  The Bible tells us that the “devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  There is not a day in our lives that he doesn’t look for ways to deceive us and trip us up.

            Our job is not to earn our salvation.  That comes by faith.  Our job is to make every effort to advance our knowledge and strength in our faith.  We must see this as important to our lives as food is to our stomachs.  Most of us figure out ways to make sure our busy schedules don’t keep us from eating.  Advancing our faith must take that kind of intensity.  There can never be an excuse that comforts us about neglecting our faith.  We must demand of ourselves the time and energy to learn and grow strong in the Lord.

            Jesus reminded His follower, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).  Don’t allow anything in today’s schedule to distract you from advancing!

Father, I pray that you will keep me focused on the eternal matters of life.  Help me to gain more understanding of you today!  In Jesus’ name, amen.