“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

~2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)

This passage is so very important for us to grab on to and apply to our lives as believers.  The beginning sets the tone with these words, “make every effort.”  It doesn’t say when you feel like it or when it works best for you.  The passage begins by letting us know that we are to make every effort to live in faith.  There is no reason to lack in our faith in God.  Beyond this we are to add a few things to our faith.  When we add these qualities to our faith, we find that we will be effective and productive for the Lord.

Recipe for Productivity

Faith ~ Everything in life begins with faith.  We need faith in God to begin any journey.  We need to constantly live by faith.

Goodness ~ It is said that we need to add goodness to our faith.  The quality of goodness means that we are to have “moral excellence.”  Do you carry moral excellence in everything that you do and say?  Can people see goodness inside of you?  It’s great that people know you have faith in God, that you go to church, and read your Bible.  But does your character display the very goodness of God.

Knowledge ~ It is so very important to have the knowledge of God in the things we face daily.  We need to increase in the knowledge of who God is and who He desires us to be, so we can live a full life for Christ.

Self-control ~ This quality must exixt in each one of us, if we want to show the world the True character of God.  We no longer represent only ourselves.  We now represent Christ and all His life has stood for.  When you get out of control, your actions reflect much more than just yourself.  When was the last time you were out of control?  Do you need to ask God for more self-control?

Perseverance ~ There are trials, battles, and times in the valley where we must persevere.  God desires us to make the most of every situation we come in contact with.  He will be our strength when the battle becomes overwhelming.  He will see us through the demanding trials.  And He will walk us through the valley.  Our dependence needs to be on the Lord and our eyes need to be focused in on Him at all times.

Godliness ~ How devout are you to God and His character?  This is part of the recipe to be effective and productive.  You really have the choice to be as effective and productive as you want to be.  You can read God’s Word and learn more about Him daily.  You can allow God to change you into His likeness or you can stay the same.  Please make a wise decision.

Brotherly Kindness ~ How kind are you to those who are around you?  Is there someone you need to forgive?  Is there someone you need to say “I’m sorry” to?  Practice kindness wherever you go and it will follow you.

Love ~ First of all, God is love so of course we should show love in our lives.  This is the glue that binds all the characteristics we see above together.  We cannot do anything without the love of God flowing through us.  We need to be obedient to God and His Word.  We need to walk in a loving way towards all those who surround us.  Will your life display God’s love today?

In order for this recipe to work, you need to include every ingredient.  Add them all together in great amounts.  Then God will be able to make you effective and productive for His work through Jesus Christ!  It’s kind of like a cake recipe, if you leave something out the cake will come out flat when you take it out of the oven.  If you take an ingredient out of this recipe your life for Christ will be flat and ineffective.  May you increase in every quality you see above daily and may your cake come out of the oven looking magnificent!

Dear Father God, Thank You for giving us a recipe to follow in Your Word.  You have been faithful to show us how to live in a successful way for You.  I cling to Your Word daily and pray that I will become more like You with every breath I take.

Including ALL the Ingredients,
Sarah