Reading: 2 Peter 1:1–11
Starting a new hobby is an interesting process. What begins as a $10 set of darts soon becomes a set of 93% tungsten, your own board, a backstop, and enrollment in a local league. One thing leads to another.
So it is with the life of faith. Christ Jesus has died that we would be partakers of the divine nature. For this very reason, we are to give diligence to the life of faith. Attend the Divine Service every Sunday. Add to evening devotions with your family. Then begin your own devotions each morning. Begin to pray for family, friends, neighbors, and parishioners. Read something pertaining to virtue that is not for a class.
These things are not law, as though not checking the right boxes leads to damnation. Rather, St. Peter says, “if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 8). St. Peter does provide the warning that to neglect one’s life of faith and virtue leads to blindness, having forgotten your Baptism and life in Christ. After all, we confess that Christ has made us heirs of the kingdom of heaven. Our election is sure. We ought to act in thanksgiving for so great a gift.
Prayer
Righteous and gracious Father, who has given to us all things pertaining to life and godliness, grant to us faith and knowledge to live out our Baptism that our call and election would be made sure before our eyes; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Hymn
O Holy Spirit, grant us grace
That we our Lord and Savior
In faith and fervent love embrace
And truly serve Him ever.
The hour of death cannot bring loss
When we are sheltered by the cross
That canceled our transgressions. (LSB 693:1)
Mark Kranz (Sem IV, CTSFW)