There is no shortcut to Christlike character. If virtue could be instantly ours through some sort of passive, instantaneous, supernatural faith experience, Peter would have urged us to seek that experience. He doesn't. He commands diligence and describes a process of gradual sanctification whereby we are increasingly conformed to the image of Christ as we exercise diligence in the cultivation of personal virtues.
That's the way the Christian life is supposed to be, as we are gradually changed 'from glory to glory' (2 Corinthians 3:18). Don't be frustrated with the process. Embrace it and be diligent to see it through to the end.
I really like this quote because often I wish I could just be instantly transformed to be like Christ, but that is not the reality we see in the Bible. The reality is that this side of heaven is a continual process of growing in holiness.
No comments:
Post a Comment