Get the Right Diagnosis

"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,