February 2023
by Denisha Quarles 

LET'S TALK CHARACTER

My Pastor (and husband) has been teaching 2 Peter 1:1-11 at our church for weeks now, and this past Sunday, I was asked to cover him by continuing to teach on these verses, and I feel prompted to share a snippet with you today; honing in on verses 5-11.

"5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." - 2 Peter 1:5-11 (NKJV)

Our character as the Body of Christ (children of God) is being watched and judged, both by the world and the Body of Christ itself. In our offenses, we make statements such as "the world always has something to say about Christians", but have we considered that the world has been deeply disappointed and let down by Christians? They've been looking at us and expecting to see virtue, righteousness and uprightness, integrity and self-control, love, and brotherly kindness, so when they can open their mouths in judgment for the lack of these things displayed in God's people (in other words, us failing to meet the standard of God's Word), they are providing us with a report card and opportunity to correct ourselves. I don't believe that many who have walked away from the church ever wanted to be able to point us out in this way; they wanted to see us step up and show the light and love of Jesus. 

Listen, our Brother Peter took the time to warn us about the importance of having Godly character and living Godly lives; this is the proof that we have accepted Jesus Christ as both SAVIOR and LORD. The world is waiting to see us, family. I can assure you that all hope isn't lost if we accept the responsibility of our calling and do the work to bear the fruit of the character of God.