The Divine Order

2 Peter 1.5-9
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

If we add certain qualities to our life, we will be effective and more productive. This verse also tells us that a believer can be nearsighted and blind. They don’t know what is happening, where they are, where they are heading ……. They go to church and are involved in some spiritual activities. But beyond that, they are not bothered about their spiritual growth. Being active in church doesn’t guarantee spiritual growth. 

1 Corinthians 9.27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Paul was careful to discipline himself lest he disqualified himself although he was a great Apostle who planted churches. Our spiritual qualities must grow that we can be productive and effective being aware of spiritual things in a far sighted way. 

1 Thessalonians 5.23,24 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Our God is a God of peace even as He is the God of Love. When the Lord Jesus Christ comes for the second time, we must be kept blameless. We are sanctified that we may have peace. 

There is a divine order mentioned here: spirit, soul and body. God is a spirit and we are all spirits who have a soul and live in a body. The body is only an earthly tent. Our spirit man should control our soul and body. But most times, the opposite happens; the flesh controls all. But a godly, divine order should be spirit, soul and body.

Normally, we take care of our body’s needs while our soul and spirit is impoverished. Our inner man will be malnourished while the external house is beautiful.

We must not be near sighted or blind. It is not that we should not take care of our physical bodies but God has put a condition that needs to be fulfilled first.

Matthew 6.33  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

The God Of Peace is faithful. He will sanctify us and take care of our needs provided we let Him. We must live a life giving most importance to our spirit man.

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