A favorite childhood movie of many is the movie Shrek. Partway through the movie, Shrek tries to explain the complexity of being an ogre to his companion, Donkey. He says that ogres are like onions. When Donkey asks if the comparison is based on their smell or ability to make people cry, Shrek replies, “No. Layers. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. You get it? We both have layers.” In Shrek’s estimation, ogres are complex creatures that are more than what could be seen on the surface.

Similarly, our relationship with God is layered. At the base of our Christian walk is faith. Our faith in Christ forms the center that all other layers will be built upon. The Scriptures give us instructions on how to add depth to our Christian walk.

For this very reason, 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, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)

Peter instructs Christians that they should continue to add virtuous things to their lives and build upon them in increasing amounts. We can’t be effective as Christians if we stop at simply having faith. We must layer on goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and finally love. If love is the outside layer of our Christian “onion”, that is what people will see. Through that love, all the other layers will be revealed. So be a Shrek… because Christians, like ogres, have layers!