2 Peter 1:8 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.
Upon reading the verse for today you probably found yourself wondering, “What qualities?” So if you did not go back and read them to see, they are: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Today’s verse builds upon those qualities and emphasizes the importance of believers growing in their faith and as Christians.
Looking over the list, some may seem a bit harder to do than others, depending upon your personality. But each of these are things we can choose to work on, to make changes in our own life. We must CHOOSE, though, because this is not a passive process but one that requires we take action and make change. The virtues are within our control, and as such, should be developed further each day. For example, that means not giving someone a snarky sarcastic response to a question, but choosing to control our tongue and instead responding with love. “Wow, you have such an inquisitive mind, always asking questions. It is nice to see someone ready to learn.”
Our cultivation of these virtues will help us to grow stronger in our faith and trust God more as we seek ways He can use us in the world. He sets up the divine appointments for us and we need to be on the lookout for them and ready to respond at any time.
When these virtues are developed and grow, you will see that your life as a believer is not barren, but is producing good fruit (works like serving others, walking alongside them and supporting them, providing for their physical or emotional needs, etc.) When we are actively engaged in our faith we produce good works, and through it all, we grow.
Are you being unproductive and ineffective? Or are you growing in your faith, seeking the Lord, and choosing to bring about change in your life that will be rewarded in heaven? The choice is yours…
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