You Do It - No, YOU Do It (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

How many times do we expect God to do what we are supposed to do?  In 2 Peter 1:5-7, we are told, “... applying all diligence, add moral excellence to your faith and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, Christian love.”

To your faith, YOU add moral excellence and knowledge and self-control and perseverance and godliness and kindness and Christian love.  Now, it is true that we are all weak in these areas because of our sin nature, and we can ask God to help us to overcome in these areas ... but we are responsible to do the overcoming, not God.  That is what He means when He tells us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12) ... you have to work out the salvation God has worked in!

You can’t save or sanctify yourself ... uh, uh ... that is God’s job - let Him do that in your heart.  BUT, once that is accomplished, YOU must develop the morally-excellent habits; YOU must grow in holy character ... God will not force you; you must do this willingly. The more willing you are, the more you will change and ultimately succeed in the instructions noted in 2 Peter 1:5-7.