July 2nd, 2023
Devotional
“People of Faith”
2 Peter 1:1-11 and Matt 13:44-46
Monday: “Precious” - 2 Peter 1: 1-2
When you use words to describe your faith, what comes to mind? For many of us, we may not jump to the words that start off this epistle of 2 Peter - “a faith as precious as ours.”
We have a tendency to substitute the world precious for delicate. When something is precious to the point of being priceless - we often mean that it is something that we need to be careful with it - which isn’t exactly what Peter is saying here. Our faith is delicate in that it is breakable. But it is precious in that it is of high worth.
In fact, it is priceless.
Because our faith isn’t about what we have done or the price that we have paid. Instead, it is linked with the righteousness of Christ, who did pay the price. And because of that we can receive the faith we have been given and treat it with the honor that it deserves.
What words or phrases would you use to describe your faith?
Prayer: God of all righteousness, let us set aside the lie of the world about what we can achieve on our own, as we seek to live by faith and not by sight. Amen.
Tuesday: “Godly Life” - 2 Peter 1: 3-4
This week in the sermon you were asked what you need for life, and what you really need for life. Another question to add to those is what do you need for a godly life?
We can have a tendency to talk more about what we don’t think is godly than what we think is. The way this writing is using the word “godly” is as a descriptor. What would it look like to consider our lives - our whole lives - and think about what deserves the descriptor of “godly” and what wouldn’t so much?
Of course, 2 Peter reminds us that this godly life is not because of us. It is not something that we can achieve or earn. Rather it comes from being connected to the God of all power and glory. The one who has called us and the one who has given us the unshakeable promise because we are claimed by him and him alone.
What would you describe as “godly” in your life?
Prayer: Lord, we confess that it is easier to evaluate other people’s lives for godliness more than our own. We are afraid to examine our hearts and lives, because we know what we will see. Give us new eyes, new hearts, and renewed purpose because of you alone, O Lord. Amen.
Wednesday: “Increasing in Measure” - 2 Peter 1: 5-9
Are you ever done growing? Well it depends what we mean by growing. If we are talking about how tall you get - yes, growth plates close. If we are talking about skills in a particular area, maybe, though few of us would have logged the hours to truly be considered an expert in a field.
If we are talking about growing in faith - no. We are never done growing.
The theological concept that 2 Peter is pointing to here is sanctification. John Wesley described sanctification as growing in love of God and as a result growing in love of neighbor. For Wesley, the love of God and neighbor were connected by the cross. You couldn’t say that you love God if you hated your neighbor. And you couldn’t deeply and authentically love your neighbors, without being changed by the love of Christ.
So we keep growing in love of God, and this letter tells us what that can look like. Perhaps, even, what it should look like. Yet, sometimes we do not even desire to try because the task seems so monumental. To which this epistle says, simply take the next step.
What are in verses 5-7 do you feel is your focus for growth for this season?
Prayer: Lord, we are a fickle people. Out of fear of failure, we do not even try. We think we have achieved perfection when really we don’t want to see how far we are. Forgive us, O Lord, and set us on the right path with you. Amen.
Thursday: “Confirm” - 2 Peter 1: 10-11
The phrase “make every effort” in today’s passage can trick us into thinking that we are on this journey of faith by our own strength and power. Let me start off today by assuring you that this is not the case. We need to read the next part of that sentence “make every effort to confirm.”
When we confirm something we are giving evidence that it is true. When I need to confirm my identity, I hand over my license. When I need to confirm my ordination, I point to by credentials. Those pieces of plastic and paper aren’t the thing themselves - they simply serve as proof points.
When we seek to confirm our election and calling, the proof points are our words and actions. If we try to do that out of our own heart and strength, we will quickly fail. We can’t do it on our own. But when our heart is filled with the love of God who has called and claimed us, then those words and actions will more readily flow out of the wellspring of what we have been given.
How do our words and actions confirm our calling?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for calling us and for changing our hearts. May our hearts be so aligned with yours in the world, that we cannot help but point others to you. Amen.
Friday: “Treasure” - Matthew 13: 44-46
When folks think about the parable or teaching of Jesus about treasure in the Gospel of Matthew, what often comes to mind is the statement “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” But there are more teachings than just that about treasure.
In today’s scripture, Jesus talks about people who come across treasures that are of such great value that they were willing to give up everything else I order to seek them. It wasn’t even a risk, because they knew the reward was worth it.
The treasure in this case is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thinking about this text in conjunction with 2 Peter - I am lead to ask if we seek out the Kingdom of Heaven as our treasure? And if so, do we reflect that in the world?
What is your treasure?
Prayer: God of all power and authority, help us to be reminded that our hope and treasure is in you. Amen.
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