YOUR PART
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;” 2 Peter 1:5 NIV
The late evangelist Kenneth E. Hagin once shared a powerful encounter with the Lord Jesus.
As the Lord was teaching him, a demonic spirit appeared, making distracting noise and releasing a dark, smoky cloud that blocked his vision and hearing. Strangely, the Lord kept speaking, seemingly unaware of the interference. Frustrated, Hagin finally rebuked the spirit himself—and it vanished. He then asked the Lord why He hadn’t intervened.
Jesus responded by quoting Isaiah: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against you, YOU shall condemn.” Then He added, “There are things I have equipped you to do. I didn’t intervene because you already have what you need to overcome.” Beloved, “add to your faith” implies action on your part. While only God can save us by grace through faith, we are responsible for obedience, choosing His ways, and growing in virtue. We “work out our salvation” by staying faithful to what He has already worked in us.
And though it may not always feel easy, “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Prayer: My Father, I thank You for the gift of faith. Help me to not grow passive in that gift but to actively walk in obedience, adding to my faith the virtues that reflect Your heart. Teach me to recognize the authority You’ve given me and to stand firm when distractions or opposition arise. Strengthen my heart to do my part faithfully, trusting in what you have already accomplished, in Jesus name. Amen!
CI.
RELATED RESOURCES
• 2 Chronicles 16:9
• Isaiah 54:17
• Proverbs 3:5
