God's Glory Church

“Therefore apply all vigilance to this, and show virtue in your faith.” — 2 Peter 1:5

The family gathered at the bedside of Dominic Bukhur, a seventeenth-century grammarian who was dying. Having taken his last breath, he, according to tradition, said: “I am about to die or already dying; any expression will be correct.” Who cares about grammar on their deathbed? Only to those who have devoted their whole life to grammar.

By the time we reach old age, we have already largely decided on our paths. We have had a whole life for our choices to be confirmed in habits that later turn into character – good or bad. We are who we choose to be.

It is easier to develop godly habits while our character is young and flexible. Apostle Peter urges: “Therefore, pay all attention to this, and show virtue in your faith, and in virtue, knowledge, and in knowledge, temperance, and in temperance, patience, and in patience, piety, and in piety, brotherhood, and in brotherhood, love” (2 Pet. 1:5-7). Practice these virtues, and then “the entrance to the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be generously opened for you” (v. 11).

Which traits from this list are most characteristic of you? Which ones still need to be worked on? Ask the Lord to change you and give you strength. It can be a slow and difficult journey, but Jesus “specializes” in giving us exactly what we need. Ask Him to change your character so that you will be more and more like Him.

What traits of your character would you most like to change? How to seek God’s strength and His provision and begin to change?

Dear Jesus, please make me more like You so that others can see You clearly.

Author: Mike Whittmer