Lent - Day 4

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (2 Peter 1:5–7, ESV)

Our relationship with Jesus is such an amazing gift and blessing that we cannot simply just acknowledge it or merely be thankful for it and move on.

That’s the whole nature of a relationship is it not? Marriage is often the picture God uses to describe his relationship with his people in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Marriage requires that we fully enter in and are committed to the growth and firm establishment of the marital relationship.

Hopefully, in a marriage both the husband and the wife will make every effort to make the marriage work. They will work on themselves, learn to listen and communicate, and be a great student of their spouse.

The Apostle Peter reminds us today that the worship and loving relationship with God requires the same level of effort. In our case, we are told make every effort to add to our faith in Jesus, virtue(godly works), knowledge(of Him and words), self-control, steadfastness, godliness(thinking, perceiving, and being more like Jesus), brotherly affection(love, care, and commitment to our brothers and sisters in Christ), and love(towards our neighbours and our enemies).

Stagnation is a death sentence to any healthy relationship and any healthy system. During this Lent season, consider whether you are making effort in your relationship with Jesus or you have allowed stagnation to set in.

Ask the Holy Spirit today, how to grow deeper and more intimate with Him in your relationship with Jesus.