… make every effort …
Summary: This simple phrase, “Make every effort,” is translated from a Greek word that requires speed in our response, diligence in our application, and eagerness in our attitude.
Today’s three little words encompass so much that I hardly know where to begin.
Peter has so far laid the groundwork for what he is about to tell us. He has given us his credentials, told us who he is talking to, and explained why his instructions are important. He writes in a kind of shorthand that presumes that we know a little bit about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He can do that because the letter is not written to convince unbelievers. Instead, he is writing to us who believe, who already know the truth of the Gospel. He is helping us on our journey to know and serve our Lord better.
Because of the things he has explained and referred to, we need to make every effort to do what he is going to ask of us.
So what does he mean by “make every effort?”
The Greek “spoudē,” from which this phrase is translated, suggests speed. Peter does not want us to dillydally or “think about it.” There is urgency here. We need to “get a move on.” What Peter is about to share with us is not something that will wait.
The Greek also suggests that Peter intends you and me to be diligent in our efforts. Diligent effort is not prone to take a pass or a day off.
I am supposed to exercise every day. Most of the time I do a good job. (I have the exercise log to prove it.) But there are days, like today, when I get distracted or busy with something else and … I have not exercised (yet). Am I being diligent when I allow myself to skip a day? No. I am not. It does not matter that I have a good excuse or that the other things I may have done were important, too. The logbook testifies against me if I have skipped a day. The exercise Peter is prescribing is critical. We cannot take a day off.
This brings me to the third aspect of Peter’s original word: eagerness. Eagerness is something that you cannot manufacture, fake, or turn on and off. Eagerness is an attitude that comes from the heart. Eagerness grows out of earnestness.
Are you serious about your relationship with the Lord? Your eagerness to do what Peter is about to share with us will testify for you or against you. Like my exercise notebook, taking a “pass” on the Lord’s will for a day is not an option. Worse, if we allow Satan to convince us that “one off day is okay,” before you know it, a whole week has passed. Then you wake up one morning and find yourself back in the spiritual gutter where the Lord first found you.
If you are serious about your faith, make every effort to follow Peter’s lead.
Application: When you read “make every effort,” think speed, diligence, and eagerness.
Food for Thought: Does making every effort look the same for each person?
Very good devotion today brother. I love the breakdown of the three points. And I am glad you clarified the picture was not you. That guy is a dead ringer for sure – except for the glasses, of course.
I think making every effort will look different for each person due to differences in gifts and abilities. The eagerness that comes from the heart may be the same, but the variety of gifts and talents the Lord has given to His people to build up the church will make the exercise of these gifts appear different in practice (Romans 12: 3 – 8; Ephesians 4: 11 – 16; 1 Corinthians 12).
Thank you, Rich.
Yeah… the resemblance in the picture is amazing. His weights even look like the plastic ones I use!
09-11-2021, 2 Peter 1:5b, Does making every effort look the same for each person?
We are given different gifts by the Spirit, we are at different levels of maturity, and have unique individual personalities, which all effect how we may appear as we utilize gifts from God. We may be able to see the most obvious gift of a person but I believe only God sees our hearts and Knows the amount of effort an individual is putting into any specific task.
1 Corinthians 12, Jeremiah 17:10,Proverbs 21:2, Romans 1:21
Ron,
The “different levels of maturity” and “individual personalities” are two areas that are challenging for me. I tend to look at others through the eyes of both my personality and my maturity – which has changed considerably over the years. It is the changes in myself that remind me to be patient with others where they are at. There is so much I don’t know and can’t know.
You’re not alone there Jeff. I must remind myself often each day, the gift of discernment was given to me so I could examine my own heart. Critique myself and encourage my brothers and sisters. There is always something good they are doing.
We just keep on trucking.
Blessings Brother!
Wow,..another good one Jeff,..
I think effort looks different for everyone,..some put more effort in that what’s necessary,..some don’t put in any at all and some put in just enough to get by,..
It’s certainly takes effort getting out of bed to hit the snooze button in the morning,..but it also takes effort to pick up the Bible and read it after I get up too,..it’s comes more naturally now but back when I wasn’t much into reading the Bible there wasn’t much effort there at all. Now the effort is listening to what I read,..praying that I am hearing what I read so I can put that into practice in this cruel yet beautiful world we live in,..it takes effort to shine the light Jesus gave us to shine in this dark world,..it takes effort to share the gospel with others,..but that is worth the effort no matter the out come,..it takes effort to believe in the faith that Jesus is coming again,..but faith without work is dead,..
So yeah,..I believe effort is different for each of us,..but what I need to do is continue with the efforts I have been given at reading, sharing the gospel and making those New Testament deposits in the Little Libraries in and through out Portland,..
Thank you, John!
Nicely said! And keep up the good work stocking Little Libraries. 🙂