In remembering the large things He did for us, let us not lose sight of what that one act still accomplishes daily.

Supplements

2 Peter 1:3-8 English Standard Version

Confirm Your Calling and Election

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 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. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When we go to the pharmacy to buy supplements we will look at the labels to determine which ones are best suited for us as individuals. Men will not choose prenatal vitamins nor women that are pregnant vitamins marked for men over 55. We take what is good for us. Our control over the effectiveness of those supplements ends with our taking the right supplements.

The label for the supplements in the above verses were added for us by the translators of the English Standard Version. Those labels do not exist in the original text. Now the question might be for us in worldly terms, are these the right supplements for us?

Let me put any troubled minds at ease. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness”. We already partook of all the goodness required and the supplements noted are not things we choose to add but the results to expect because we have already partaken of His Divine Nature. This is not about choosing to be any one of these attributes but rather that we can expect to show signs that we have already taken our medicine..

The key to these truths is found in the very last verse. They will be found in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is not a head knowledge but a heart knowledge. This knowing is a deep personal knowledge that comes from our relationship with our Lord, the bride to her betrothed.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 English Standard Version

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Yesterday’s post was written several days ago. In the hopes of finding a word to continue with the pattern displayed, I turned to my bible software and this is the verse of the day. It is not what I thought it would be, it is a more sure word.

The love of Christ is the motivation of our hearts. If we focus on that relationship we will hear what He has to say next. It might not be what we thought was coming, it is better. Paul’s expression of being controlled can be offensive to some. We are not puppets on a string.

This is about relationships and communication. We submit to Christ because He has proven His great love for us. Not just in dying for us but in revelations of His intentions. We get to choose by faith how we respond. Puppets don’t have a choice, we do. Love will always be a choice.

Psalm 40:16 English Standard Version (ESV) But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!”

His salvation is a daily event, it continues, always, expressed in rejoicing and gladness because we found Him again today in our seeking Him. He never disappoints us when we seek Him with our hearts, returning the love that has been given.

1 John 4:19 English Standard Version (ESV) We love because he first loved us.

Simple, direct and true, love begets love.