KEEP GROWING 3

“The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be.” 2Pe 1:8 NLT

Let’s look at two more things you need to grow: (1) Don’t just grow in knowledge, grow in character. The truth is, God is more interested in your character than He is in your career. Why? Because success without character has the potential to hurt you, and those around you. The Bible says: “Make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be” (vv. 5-8 NLT). Note the words “make every effort.” You’ve got to work at it! (2) Always stay fresh. Did you hear the old story about the country pastor who was preaching when his notes flew out the church window and a cow grazing nearby ate them? Three days later the cow went dry. Hello! Stay thirsty. Stay hungry. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Mt 5:6 NIV). Ultimately it’s not your talents, but your desire that determines your destiny. One of Paul’s highest compliments was given to the believers in the Thessalonian church: “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing” (2Th 1:3 NIV). Let that be said of you.

Share