We are nearing the conclusion of our series of studies through Peter’s blueprint for growth (2 Peter 1:1-11). Having examined the individual qualities of virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love, we now turn to Peter’s assessment of what happens when these qualities are actively working in our lives.
"For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins." — 2 Peter 1:8–9
Over the course of many weeks, we have been examining this pattern of building spiritual qualities one upon another.
Recent Articles in this Series:
What About Faith | Grace and Peace | But Also For This Very Reason | Add Virtue | Add Knowledge | Add Self-Control | Add Perseverance | Add Godliness | Add Brotherly Kindness | Add Love
There is greater value than we can estimate in the work we do to increase our spiritual strength and character. As we discussed near the beginning of this series of studies, it is not a "once and done" process. Instead, if we are truly growing, in some ways we will cycle through this list over and over again throughout our lives.
Possessing These Qualities in Increasing Measure
To have these qualities in some measure is good, "if these things are yours" — but I wonder if we know what Peter means with the word abound? It may help to hear the phrase from another translation which says, "For if these things are yours and are increasing." The word abound then means to increase or make more abundant.
Is there any one of us who exercises the most virtue he can imagine or exhibits nearly as much love as we must? I am certain that we can all learn more, be more self-controlled and patient, and draw closer to God in our day-to-day walk. I am equally sure that we can show greater concern for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. I cannot help but call to mind the words of John the Immerser, who said regarding Jesus and himself, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
This is an apt picture for ourselves, as well. It is that which Paul insisted for himself, as he writes in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." Christ must increase in us and we must decrease. I want to encourage each of us to strive toward a lifetime of spiritual growth — never being satisfied that we have given enough of ourselves to God. This is the real work of our life in Christ. It is work — and it is worthwhile.
Neither Barren Nor Unfruitful
With the growth, there is a promise: "You will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." One translation puts the whole verse together this way, "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."
Paraphrased in the affirmative: If we possess these qualities and they are increasing, we will be effective and productive in our knowledge and life in Christ. Surely, we all want to be effective and productive! More than merely not being "barren and unfruitful" — we want to be fruitful in the service of our King!
It is no great leap to consider how this growth is evident in the fruit of the spirit, which Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22–23 are "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Without much effort, we see the parallel of those characteristics we have been discussing from 2 Peter 1:5–7: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
The word knowledge in this phrase differs from how we find it in verse 5, where the idea is centered on learning. Here in verse 8, it is recognition or full discernment. This difference is appropriate, as Peter is now discussing the maturity that follows the growth that comes from adding to our faith in the manner he taught.
The Danger of Spiritual Blindness
In the next verse, Peter quickly pivots to the negative: "For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins." (2 Peter 1:9)
We are immediately faced with the reality that the growth of character in our faith — from virtue to love — is not optional. The Greek word which is translated as "shortsighted" or "cannot see far off" literally means to close the eyes. We are left with the impression of intentional blindness. A person who could otherwise see clearly is choosing not to do what it takes to see — and see what he must see.
Acknowledging the influence that Satan has on the world, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:3–4:
"But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them."
The man or woman who refuses to grow from the infant stages of faith to the fullness of a mature knowledge of Christ will be blinded and fall into all manner of sins. If we render ourselves spiritually blind, we will ultimately fall away from Christ and back into the world of sin.
Forgotten That He Was Cleansed
In such a state, we forget who we are in Christ and that we are redeemed from our sins. We are partakers of the divine nature — having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. What is this divine nature? It is sinlessness.
We have been freed from our sin. Paul says that we have "put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created [us]" (Colossians 3:10). After the warning we read in Ephesians 4:17–19, Paul says this:
"But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." — Ephesians 4:20–24
If we do not grow in our faith, we will forget that we have been cleansed from our sins. How shall we prevent ourselves from being the slaves of sin if we will not submit to the Master of Righteousness and learn His ways? Describing some who have fallen away, Peter says the following in 2 Peter 2:20–22:
"For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: 'A dog returns to his own vomit,' and, 'a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.'"
Such an awful declaration we hope none of us will ever hear spoken against us. We must take seriously our growth in Christ — growth from the beginning of our faith into the fullness of Christ.
Let us move toward our final, hopeful study, setting our minds on the phrase "giving all diligence" as we consider Peter’s closing argument:
"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:10–11)