Wednesday
2 Peter 1:5-9

Even though salvation is a free gift, this does not mean we should be freeloaders once we are saved. James 1:22 says, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” And Paul writes in Philippians 2:12 to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” In today’s passage, Peter uses the phrase “applying all diligence” and then goes on to list seven characteristics of a godly life.

All too often, we focus on the items on these lists as if we can pick and choose which one we would like to have or which one we would really prefer not to attain. But that is not the point. Whether we are looking at this list in 2 Peter or the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians, both writers meant for their lists to be used to define the life of every single Christ-follower. Yikes! Right? This is exactly why Peter uses the phrase “applying all diligence.”

It is not enough for the Christian to “let go and let God,” as though spiritual growth was God’s work alone. The Father and the believer must work together.