Valerie is a 42-year-old, single, Reformed Christian lady who lives in Baltimore. She doesn't remember a time
before she knew and loved Jesus, but she does remember accepting John Calvin into her heart in March of 2000.
Valerie is a member of Christ Reformed Evangelical Church in Annapolis.
Though her career aspiration is to be a housewife, Valerie has not yet found anyone suitable who wishes to hire
her for employment in that field (or, more properly, anyone suitable has not found her), so in the meantime she
earns her daily bread working in communications -- editing, writing, print design and website management.
The 'Ladder of Faith'
Our message on Sunday was on 2 Peter 1:5-11. That's long been a favorite passage of mine, but Pastor Knecht gave an explanation of the qualities listed there that really helped my understanding of it. Here's what I captured in my notes:
Faith -- God's foundational gift on which we are to make every effort to build
Virtue -- moral excellence/moral energy/the whole character of service/integrity
Knowledge -- discernment/knowledge of good and evil -- comes with maturity -- a practical set of techniques for living the Christian life
Self-Control -- the bridling of human passions and abilities and talents so life is not spoiled by emotional or physical impulse
Perseverance or Endurance -- bearing up under fatigue and adversity; not growing weary in doing good
Godliness -- an awareness of God in every aspect of life/a piety in everything I do; the visible expression of invisible commitment to God
Brotherly Kindness -- a priority on loving the brethren with kind affection because they are believers
Love -- the queen of virtues -- love for all -- being a fountain of loving words and acts
As you climb this "ladder," you gain a more Christlike perspective. Growing/abounding/increasing in these qualities will make you more fruitful as you become more Christlike. Growth brings assurance because it ratifies your election -- the shape and condition of the foundation becomes evident as you build on it.
