If you're like me, you take a handful of vitamins and other supplements every day. After all, unless we're willing to actually eat like we're supposed to, we're probably going to be lacking in this or that important element. So, we go down the shelf and grab one of each to make sure we're getting enough. Especially during cold and flu season ... and, dare I say, COVID? Well, the other night during a Bible lesson we were listening to on YouTube (I will be SO glad when we can be back in person), this verse caught my attention. 2 Peter 1:3-11 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Did you see the word that made me pay extra attention?
Supplement. Peter is telling the Christians to supplement their faith. Now, I haven't found anything on the vitamin aisle for that, but if you keep reading, he tells you what to use. Virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Almost what the fruits of the spirit are. Amazingly enough, if you think about it, we take vitamins because we probably don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. Anyway, I'd never thought much about being able to take a "vitamin" for when my faith isn't strong enough. But the Bible tells us we can, and even gives a list of what to use. And, it says if we don't take those qualities into our lives, we'll be "so nearsighted that he is blind." Yikes. Having to wear glasses, I can understand that, for sure. Sounds like I need to keep working on my faith by adding in more supplements. How about you? Have you ever stumbled across a verse that suddenly caught your attention? It's so nice that God phrased things in such a way that it relates to me on multiple levels. Now, to keep working on it.
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This is a place for me to share thoughts and ideas not just related to writing. Thoughts about what's going on in my life, about an idea I got that I thought shareworthy, or just a funny anecdote.
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