I’ve been in a place recently where I have small hints of despair hit me, just for a brief moment. When it does the thoughts are, “What am I here for again?” “What am I gonna do for the rest of my life?” Then I kinda of ignore them and push them aside. In my mind I can tell you the “right” answers, but sometimes grief takes over and my heart just doesn’t know for sure. I remember that I have to live the rest of my days without my dad and that still stings. The despair comes from that place.
Over the course of the last 6 months, I’ve chosen to repair my relationship with Christ. I’ve chosen to not be angry about my loss. Things aren’t perfect, but I’m definitely headed in the right direction. I want to be in constant communication with my Lord. I want to be used by Him. I want Him to use my grief for the sake of others. I want Him to use my blog as a platform. We will see if that is in His plan. I know I am writing for a reason. It’s my desire.
This morning I was reading in 2 Peter and came across something that just frankly stuck out to me. The title of the section of scripture is Confirming Ones Calling and Election, With all that I’ve mentioned above you can imagine my interest.
2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
“He has given us everything we need for a godly life.” Wow! Why is it that I forget that? This is new christian stuff here, but sometimes we need a good reminder of who God is and the promises He’s made to us.
2 Peter 1:4
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
See? “Very great and precious promises“. Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
2 Peter 1:5-9
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
To Live a Godly Life we must have;
Faith
Faith is a believe of that which we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
In order to live a godly life, we must believe that God is first off, real and secondly, that he Loves us unconditionally. John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Goodness
Being good to others and ourselves. Goodness is a character trait the Word says we need to have to live a godly life.
Knowledge
If we want to live a godly life, we need to know what a godly life looks like. Jesus was the ultimate example of a godly life. Reading and memorizing the Word will not only helps us to know how to live, but it will also connect us with Jesus in an intimate way. We will also learn “why” we are here. What He wants from us. How we can help Him spread the good news.
Self Control
This is a tough one sometimes. Just even as I wrote this post, the server logged me out and didn’t save what I had written. I admit, I was ANGRY! I was almost finished. I really wanted to freak out and let my anger rage on, but I didn’t. I practiced self control and took the dog for a walk instead. By the time I got back, I was in a good mood. Interesting chemicals we have in our brains.
Perseverance
This one is almost as tough as self control. To persevere during the tough times. To not give up. To keep believing that the Lord has our best interest in His heart and He will get us through this trial. Refer back to Jeremiah 29:11.
I love how all these attribute link back to each other.
Godliness
The definition of godliness is to, “conform to the laws and wishes of God”. Makes sense.
Mutual Affection
I actually had to look this one up. It means to sympathize with one another. Another tough attribute. It’s hard to be sympathetic when we’ve warned someone over and over of the consequences we see coming. They do what they want anyway and it turns out we were right. Ouch! But the Word says to live a godly life we are to sympathize with one another. Not just when it suits us, but always.
Love
Lastly, we are to love. Love one another. Not conditionally but unconditionally. Not just love those who we deem lovable, but those who God deems lovable. That would include every single person on the planet.
In my opinion, and since this is my blog, I can voice my opinion. I feel that we do not have to like every one. We do not have to accept or tolerate behavior the Word says is sinful. We still have to love the person though. Through our love for them we can share the Lord and hopefully bring that person to repentance.
Recap
So, “what am I here for again?”. I am here to Live A Godly Life. To love my enemy as myself. To share the gospel with anyone who will listen. To live in peace with those around me. To be the wife and mom God created me to be. To share my experiences here on All Things Genuine in hopes that what I have to say may give hope to someone feeling hopeless.
Response
What about you? What are you here for? Can you follow the above mentioned attributes to live a godly life?
2 Peter 1:10-11
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
♥ Sabrina
keystothegenuinelife.com 