Reading: What we gathered from this letter from Peter a few days ago is that knowing Christ gives us the ability to live a godly life. Our faith is the fuel that enables us to live effectively for the kingdom. Next, Peter expanded on the subject of knowing Christ. Not only does our relationship with him give us the ability to live a godly life, but our faith should result in tangible godliness. As a result, Peter says we should be all the more “eager” to complete our calling. The literal translation of this word “eager” means to “exert oneself”. God has given us all we need to live a transformed life rooted in the gospel — and this should energize us to live different than the rest of the world!

Most of us have probably had to try out for a baseball team. It can be a nerve-wracking process, needing to impress the coaches with your ability in just a few hours. When you receive the news that you made the team — it’s an exciting moment! In response to making the team, what do you do? Do you add it in your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram bio and then continue to live the same life? Does your day to day change at all? After making the team, there is a visible change to our lives. We start making time to go to practice, we make it a priority to compete in the games, we put the uniform on, we wear our team gear around town, and we start hanging out with our new teammates. Everything changes!

Our eagerness and diligence to live a life filled with the joy of Christ should catapult us into holiness. Luke 9:62 says, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” There is no need to continue to look back to your old way of living.  Let the words of Jesus in John 15:15-16 give you assurance and encouragement: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last.”

Reflection: Consider these questions and jot your thoughts... Do you feel like you truly have a relationship with Christ? If you say you have a relationship with Christ, what has changed? Has your knowledge of Christ led to real life change? If you don’t have a relationship with Christ, what are your barriers from trusting in him and repenting from your old way of life?

Prayer Prompt: Lord — I love you! Thank you for sending your Son to bear my sin so that I could know the Creator of the universe. I pray that you would create an eagerness in my spirit to live a life set apart for the gospel. Change my desires to model yours, and give me the strength to deny myself and take up my cross daily. Father, let my knowledge of you change the way I live my life, and help me influence others around me to do the same. Thank you for loving me and desiring to have a relationship with me. You are so good!