Are you living the life that God planned for you to live?

We are able to live the life that God intended for us to live.  We are offered everything we need to become the person God intended us to be.

This is the second of a series of posts discussing qualities we need to develop in our lives that will help us live the life that God intended us to live.

Our faith in Jesus Christ is what separates us from non-Christians.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, … (Ephesians 2:8 ESV)

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 ESV)

… because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 ESV)

After becoming a Christian, it is important that we grow and mature in our relationship with Christ.

… at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10 ESV)

2 Peter 1:5-8 lists seven qualities that will help us become the person God wants us to be.

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. (2 Peter 1:8)

The first of these qualities is virtue (moral excellence or goodness).

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, … (2 Peter 1:5 ESV)

… supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, (2 Peter 1:5 NLT)

 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness (2 Peter 1:5 NIV)

A life of virtue (moral excellence or goodness) is a life with high moral standards.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9 ESV)

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.  Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:3-4 ESV)

The life God has planned for us is a life of increasing virtue (goodness or moral excellence).  Without the quality of virtue (goodness or moral excellence) we are not who God wants us to be.

Prayer:

God, help us grow in virtue (goodness or moral excellence).

 (Be sure to read future posts that will discuss more qualities that will help us live our lives as God intended.)

Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.