In the year 66 A.D. Peter wrote these words. Jesus already knew He would preserve them for you and me!

2 Peter 1:¹ Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: ²Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, ³According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: ⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

What do these words tell you about God?

What do these words matter to you?

2 Peter 1:⁵ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; ⁶And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; ⁷And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. ⁸For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faith = faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen

Virtue = moral excellence; goodness; righteousness.

Knowledge = acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation

Temperance = moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.; self-control

Patience = the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain,

                  without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like

Godliness = the quality or practice of conforming to the laws and wishes of God; devoutness and

                    moral uprightness:

Brotherly kindness = of a good or benevolent nature or disposition

Charity = generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or needy

At a recent group Bible study, one woman asked whether these attributes are to be sequential, starting with faith and progressing. Each of us is different and unique. Jesus does not have cookie-cutter Christians. Yes, our new life in Christ begins with faith but we each have diverse backgrounds, circumstances, and frames of reference. Jesus meets us where we are. Jesus alone is refining us and molding us to present us faultless to Himself.

Paul said it this way:

 Ephesians 2:⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast.¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

What do these words tell you about God?

What do these words matter to you?

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God ³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge –

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!