March 8th, 2020 – Continuing in his series Character Under Construction, Pastor Jonathan tackles the difficult character trait of Self-Control.  In today’s scripture, Peter stresses that the character traits he outlines in verses 5-8 that we must apply diligence to add these things into our life as they strengthen our usefulness to the growth that God has planned for us.  We cannot be effective witnesses if we see-saw back and forth from our old ways to our new, combating daily the temptations that are designed to derail or slow our growth in Christ.   Regression happens but we must remember that it cloaks our lives in temporary happiness while doing long-term damage to ourselves and others.   By disciplining ourselves we move away from the past and towards a better goal, exercising the spirit of self-control that God gave us.  With the goal being not to get ourselves into heaven.   But to get others into heaven.

2 Peter 1:5-11, 2 Corinthians 9:25-27