It is so hard to grasp that all truly is ours in Christ. It is learning to realize WE may be lacking, but in Christ we need not lack a thing. We can ASK. (Again I think of Dallas Willard: “The nature of the Kingdom is to ask.”)

2 Peter 1:3-11 is a marvelous passage to dwell on for our Christian life.

All we need, we can access. But is building spiritual muscle. Just as we build our physical muscles and strength, we need a walk in Christ that will build our spiritual muscle.

Peter walks us through the process.

⁵ This is why you must make every effort to add moral excellence to your faith; and to moral excellence, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, endurance; and to endurance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, affection for others; and to affection for others, love. (Common English Bible)

I love the Common English Bible keeping the phrase “make every effort.” That is an important phrase. We have to get into this walk. Sitting at a weight lifting machine isn’t going to build my muscles. Grabbing the bar and pushing up is going to get me started.

Staring at a list of characteristics isn’t going to grow me spiritually. I need to ADD these things into my life intentionally. I build them in and I look for the opportunities for those virtues to be practiced. This Christian walk takes intentionality. We don’t just need the words on the page. We need those words in our hearts.