"What is wrong with my child?!" Parents with much pathos and pain often posed this question to me in the emergency department. A child's symptoms such as fever were easily treatable but the question still remained, "What is wrong – what is the diagnosis?" Dispensing reliable treatment without a specific diagnosis meant guessing . . . not a good method of care.
The Apostle Peter was somewhat of a diagnostician. He observed the symptoms of
". . . being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:8 NIV)
He correctly diagnosed these diseases.
". . . he is nearsighted and blind and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins." (2 Peter 1:9 NIV)
Since Peter had the correct diagnosis of the symptoms, he ably prescribed the correct treatment
". . . 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." (2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV)
Peter even suggests how to take the medicine . . .
". . . possess these qualities in increasing measure . . ." (2 Peter 1:8 NIV)
At times, I exhibit the symptoms of ineffectiveness and unproductiveness in my relationship with Jesus. If you have similar symptoms, will you join me in taking the medicine that Peter prescribed in ever-increasing measure?
Sharing the journey with you,
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