Lacking in virtue? Think grace. Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: "Lacking in virtue? Think grace." ------------- Date: 10/16/1998 Keywords: "qualities" "ineffective" "grace" "repentance" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation.   Passage: 2 Peter 1:8-9 * 8 For if you possess these qualities [faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love] in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.   Questions 1. How are the qualities mentioned in the passage apparent in your life?   2. What does it mean to be "ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ"?   3. What remedy for failure does the passage recommend?   Practical help Many people think the only way to do good is to do good. But the passage above says that one way to do good is to remember grace. It's no wonder that Paul writes in Romans 2:4 that "God's kindness leads you to repentance." To put this idea into practice, restructure your prayers. Today, spend more time thanking God for his grace and less time dwelling on your shortcomings. Then see if God's grace doesn't give your virtue a nudge in the right direction.   eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1998 by eXXit *Scriptures are from The Holy Bible: New International Version © Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.