Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Friends Help Friends Take The Next Step

Read 2 Peter 1:5-11

Live Out Loud by intentionally caring for your friends by leading them to Christ and then helping them to grow in their relationship with Christ. But what does the new believer need in order to grow in that relationship? Let’s look at eight things that come from this passage. The first is faith which is the ability to see what cannot be seen and to believe in what seems unbelievable. The second is moral excellence which is the desire for one to live outwardly what they know to be true inwardly. The third is knowledge which is a right understanding of truth which comes by studying and applying God’s Word to our lives. The fourth is self-control which is to control the fleshly, natural desires and passions rather than be controlled by them. The fifth is perseverance which is patience in doing what is right and not giving in to temptation and sin. Sixth is godliness is to live reverently, faithfully and obediently toward God. Seventh is brotherly love which is a love for other believers and a desire to put others needs before their own. Last but not least is love which refers to God’s love for us, agape love which is unconditional and is the way that we ought to love God and love others. The key is found in verses 8-9 and the call is that we should abound in these things. How? By practicing them, by learning about them and by living them out in everyday life moment by moment. These things will only come as one pursues a relationship with God and thus is the reason we must be intentional about helping our friends take the next level.

Father help us to be intentional about helping our friends to take the next step.

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