Extraordinary Ordinary!Sample

The knowledge Peter is referring in II Peter 1:6 is so much more than just knowing academically who God is. The knowledge Peter and the Holy Spirit are promoting is knowledge that leads to wisdom and discernment and then enables believers to live godly lives.

When my children were young, every time they were leaving the house and the eye of my watchful care, I would empathically remind them, “Use wisdom!” We had trained all five of our children that wisdom is thinking like God thinks. When you know God, your intimate knowledge of Him will invade even your thinking processes and you will begin to tap into His way of thinking.

Peter then turns our attention to the challenge of living a life of self-control. Self-control will become God-control when a person is courageous enough to spend time on his or her knees asking God to make them strong where they are currently weak. If you are struggling in this area of God-control, find an accountant of the faith. Sometimes, as we march up the mountain of God-control, the value of friendship is what ushers in the victory.

Peter then instructs that after self-control what is needed is sweaty perseverance. Perseverance is the ability to steadfastly endure suffering without giving up one’s faith. The devil’s plan in sending suffering your way is to trick you into giving up your faith and your joy. God’s plan, in even allowing the devil to send suffering your way, is to strengthen your faith and increase your joy.

The choice is in your hands; will you give up your faith when life is hard?

Peter is calling your name across the ages and challenging you to a life of joyful perseverance and to embrace a faith that is steadfast. You will tap into the treasure of life when you dig your heels in both emotionally and spiritually and then determine to fix your eyes only on Jesus.

Perseverance is more than simply hanging in there by the skin of your teeth. Perseverance is boldly standing firm with joy, purpose, and resolve.