Building Blocks

2 Peter 1:3-8

At my house, there’s an area in the living room that is dedicated to our grandchildren with various toys for them to play when they visit. One of the toys that they enjoy is a set of large Legos. Normally, what happens is one of them builds a tower that the other knocks down. No sibling rivalry there.

 Each time a block is placed on top of another it becomes a building block. The foundation of course, is most important because if the foundation isn’t constructed correctly, the whole thing will fall down; even without the help of a grandchild.

The definition of a building block is “a unit of construction or composition; especially something essential on which a larger entity is based”. If you think about it, that’s what Peter is describing in these verses.

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. NIV

Peter knows all about building blocks and growing in his faith. He was very impetuous and immature during Jesus’ three years of ministry on earth. It wasn’t until after the resurrection and Pentecost that Peter began to bear fruit. The truth is that all of us who have been called have received what we need to bear fruit.

 ³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. NLT

⁸ The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. NLT

As I thought about these verses, some questions came to mind. What am I doing to grow? What do I need to change to grow? And, in the spirit of my grandchildren’s Legos, What are the building blocks of my spiritual growth?

Whatever your answers are to these questions, the goal is to share in God’s nature; to become more like Jesus.