Make Every Effort

• What is the difference between making an effort and laziness? How would you define “effort”?

• What do you do that takes a lot of effort?

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, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
2 Peter 1:5-7

When Dalton showed up for his first baseball practice, he could not throw the ball. He could not catch the ball. And he didn’t even come close to hitting the ball.

When we first begin to follow Jesus, it’s a lot like showing up for that first baseball practice. We don’t have the necessary skills.

Dalton chose to work at baseball. He practiced. When he made mistakes, he worked harder. And Dalton was transformed into a skilled baseball player.

There’s a reason Peter used the words “make every effort” when he wrote these verses. If we are going to act like God wants us to act, it’s going to take effort. We are going to have to work at it. We are going to have to practice.

When this verse talks about “mutual affection,” it is talking about being kind to one another. We shouldn’t expect this to always come easily. We need to work at it. God will help us, but it’s still going to take effort on our part. And our effort will allow God to transform us into the people he wants us to be.

PRAYER
Dear God, please help us to show kindness to one another. Please encourage us and give us the strength to make every effort for you. Amen.