Scripture Sunday - 2 Peter 1:9

"For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind,

having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins."

I do want to focus specifically on this verse, but for the sake of clarity and proper context, we need to take a

look at the main thought which contains it:

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,

and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control

with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with

brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours

and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful

in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities

is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed

from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm

your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall."
- 2 Peter 1:5-10

I think it's easy sometimes to get so wrapped up in our problems and failures that we effectively forget the freedom and forgiveness that we have through Christ. We may be able to outwardly affirm these truths, but at the same time be so fearful that we'll "go and sin some more" that we cannot step forward in faith. This is a lesson I've had to learn plenty of times, that I must constantly preach the gospel to myself. Otherwise, I'll begin to lose the proper perspective.

On a different note, a great resource that I got a lot from on this subject is in the Drive By Theology audio set put out by Todd Friel (From Wretched Radio) and Pastor R. W. Glenn (From Solid Food Media), both of whose sites I have links to on my blog sidebar. Anyway, what I'm referring to is "Session 36" in the said set, which is on progressive sanctification (the lifelong process that every christian goes through to put sin to death and become more conformed to Christ in character). This is a very excellent resource, each session being a very manageable 15 minutes long, but informative, and I highly recommend it.

Coming back to the main point, I will say this in closing. We Christians are marked people, if you haven't noticed, and our enemy will do everything he can to discourage us, make us unprofitable, or seduce us to go back to the bondage of sin. It is absolutely vital that we immerse ourselves in the gospel, reminding ourselves of the victory, forgiveness, and power we have through Jesus Christ.