Peter's Tips For Fruitful Christianity

Faith and Maturity

Wow, I apologize for the long hiatus. Let's get back to it!

Candy and I were priviledged to be under the teaching of a wise Sunday School teacher on Easter morning. As part of our lesson we read a passage out of 2 Peter 1:5-9. Within the context of the lesson, the verse was meant to illustrate that our growth in our Christian life is a process. That process will result in fruitful success if certain qualities are developed within us. Peter indicates that these qualities are successive and are built upon each other. To paraphrase, faith is the foundation of the Christian life; upon faith we are to develop moral excellence, then knowledge, then self-control, then perseverence, then godliness, then brotherly kindness, and then finally love.

As I pondered the application of this passage, it dawned on me that faith, albeit foundational and essential, is only the beginning of a successful and fulfilling Christian life. Looking back at our time under Word of Faith teaching I remembered the constant emphasis on faith. It seemed that the sole purpose of the Christian life was to have enough faith so as to be comfortable and never have any problems. Faith was the subject of every sermon, every Bible study, every application. It always seemed unfulfilling and shallow, but at the time I could never give a concise explanation as to why. After studying this passage, though, I found my answer.

Pastors, churches, and Christians who focus so much of their Biblical study and teaching on faith are depriving themselves of a well-rounded Christian life. Faith is both the genesis and the sustenance of our journey towards sanctification, but Christians who seek to solely develop their faith end up neglecting other important qualities that should also accompany sanctification. At best the result is Christian immaturity; at worst the result is disillusionment with Christianity and withdrawal from corporate fellowship.

2 Peter 1:5-9 teaches us that there is a lot more to being a fruitful and victorious Christian besides faith. To be fruitful and useful to God takes more than just my "receiving" it or "claiming" that I am so; it requires diligence on my part to also grow in moral excellence, knowledge, perseverence, and love.

Now comes the hard part...my actually doing it.

Marriage Encounter

It has been three weeks now since Candy and I went to the Marriage Encounter Weekend sponsored by the Assemblies of God. It was a wonderful time! And I can honestly say that our marriage is richer now for it, too. Candy and I had both been in a spiritual funk the last 2 years, and this was an excellent opportunity to reconnect with each other and with Christ. It was not “group therapy” or anything like that. Rather, the time was equally split between listening to presenters in a whole group setting and writing love letters to each other and dialoging about various topics. Most of all, the weekend reminded us of why we fell in love with each other and showed us what we needed to do to nurture and grow that love for the future.

Personally, I came to grips with some things that I have been dealing with for quite some time, and I was made aware of some things Candy had been wrestling with recently, too. Through letter writing and dialoging, however, Candy and I were able to grow closer and better understand each other’s needs. By the end of the weekend I felt a renewed sense of purpose for our marriage and love for Candy, but I also felt somewhat overwhelmed. You see, I realized on a much deeper plane how lovely and special Candy truly is. I also realized how precious her heart is and how great the responsibility is for me as her husband to guard and protect her heart. When I also considered my inadequacies as a man, though, this seemed like a lofty mark that I was doomed to miss at some point. Our culture, and specifically the Church of Jesus Christ, is littered with the ruins of failed marriages. How could I be sure that I would be the husband that Candy needs and deserves?

As I pondered this, Philippians 4:13 came to mind: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” I realized that as long as I stay submitted to Christ, the life of Christ in me would ensure that I am a loving, serving, and committed husband. In and of myself, I don’t have the capacity to be a good husband. However, as I submit to the authority of Jesus Christ and let the Holy Spirit challenge and change me, He empowers me to be the man that He’s called me to be. Galatians 5:15 says, “…walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

Candy is a wonderful woman and I am very thankful to God for our marriage. I am thankful, too, for Marriage Encounter, because through it our love has been rejuvenated and equipped for the future. And, most of all, I am thankful to Jesus Christ, for I know that a successful marriage is possible by His power in our lives.