His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness 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 and escape 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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, 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 if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.** 2 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV)**
One of the most difficult things is to order and discipline our own lives, Amen? We can be uber critical of others, but when our eyes turn inward, well, not so much. We tend to be much more forgiving and far too easy and lenient on ourselves. Full of excuses and distractions, we waste our lives on things that will never make it through the “fire that will test the quality of each man’s work”. If you simply take a cursory look at the great saints from the past from the Wesley brothers to Whitfield to Edwards to Spurgeon to D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and many others, the common thread was diligence and discipline. Two words that seem to have fallen out of our vocabulary in these “instant” modern times. This, of course, is true for anything one seeks to achieve in this life, but stands more importantly true in our spiritual lives as they are eternal. We are not to be languid, indolent or lackadaisical in this great pursuit – because it matters for.every.one – no exceptions. As the martyred Jim Elliot once stated: “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the full in every situation that you believe to be the will of God.” And concludes with “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to keep what he cannot lose.”
There is much fullness and pleasure in following hard after Jesus. He is the Well that never runs dry. He is the One that totally satisfies our needy souls, keeping us from continually wanting. And He is One we will never outgive. He loves us, cares for us, has a plan for each of us and further, empowers us to walk in it. And, there is fullness of pleasure in His will. Jim Elliot also penned: “Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth!”
Sadly, many so often seek to build towers to the heavens to make great names for themselves rather than making much of God in this world through their lives. May it not be so with us.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)