Does One Thing Lead to Another?
This question is rhetorical, right? If a person is extremely disciplined, maybe they can eat one bowl of ice cream and never eat it again. Or maybe they can say one swear word and never cuss again. Or maybe they can steal a candy bar and never steal again.
But this would be the exception and certainly not the rule. We are pretty good at figuring out that one bad thing can lead to another, but let’s look at the opposite. Many times we can know what not to do, by doing the opposite. For example, if we see someone in need, instead of passing them by or worse, cursing them under our breath, we stop and see how we can help.
Move Towards God
In the Bible, II Peter 1:3-8 tells us we have been given precious promises and because of this we should do one thing. This one thing leads to another thing and another thing and well, you get the point. Let’s read these verses.
V. 3-8 -His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 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. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Breaking It Down
Add to your faith goodness - as a Christian everything we do is by faith. We believe by faith, we walk by faith, we receive God’s word by faith. Adding to that goodness - we are becoming more like the character of Christ. Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit of God.
Add to goodness knowledge - With the goodness of God, we can discern the difference between the knowledge of the world and the knowledge of God. We want to follow the One and distance ourselves from the other.
Add to knowledge self-control - with godly knowledge we now can say no to sin and yes to God. This strengthens us to make good decisions, to allow the fruit of the character of Christ, and self-control to become a part of who we are.
Add to self-control perseverance - As we control ourselves, not giving in to carnal desires, we can persist, persevere, and stay on course to fulfill God’s will for our lives.
Add to perseverance godliness - Perseverance keeps us on the path of the straight and narrow, which leads us God’s way. Godliness is a character trait of those who follow in His footsteps, disregarding our own way.
Add to godliness mutual affection - Like God, my love for Him and my love for others grows into a mutual affection. I love Him because He first loved me.
Add to mutual affection love - This affection which is godly turns into love as I spend time with Him, both receiving and giving His love. This gives life to the Scripture, “They will know Me by the love you have for one another.” (John 13:35).
As we acknowledge and obey the Word of God, we come to know more of who God is. He is revealed through the Bible and like a mirror as we gaze in we can become more like Him. Do you know couples who have been together so long they begin to look alike? Why would it be any different for the Christ follower and Christ Himself? We are made in His image, in His likeness.
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Dr. Michele - the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.\
July 6, 2025
