If all these things are in you and growing, you will never fail to be useful to God. You will produce the kind of fruit that should come from your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who don’t grow in these blessings are blind. They cannot see clearly what they have. They have forgotten that they were cleansed from their past sins.
2 Peter 1:8-9 ERV
Heaven’s efforts to draw earth close should be matched by earth’s efforts to reach heaven. God’s generosity exceeds our thankfulness, but thankfulness alone is insufficient; it requires labor and action. Likewise, we must match God’s abundant provision for us to live a godly life with our diligence to grow. We must grow in the virtues that heaven has lavished upon us and be fruitful. In this choir of virtues, faith serves as the leader, guiding and uniting virtues like virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, kindness, and love. Together, they praise Christ with obedience and love, offering a sweet-smelling sacrifice unto God.
Meanwhile, faith is like the clef that sets the key for these seven notes to sound in perfect harmony. It organises and sustains the chorus, ensuring each virtue has its place. When all virtues come together, faith drills them into harmony. However, if faith is lacking, the soul becomes out of tune.
So, with the foundation of faith laid, we must diligently build on it. With its fruit sown, we must make every effort to ensure that it grows to bring much fruit. It is not just enough to have these virtues; we must grow in them.
It is in the growing that we become useful to God. We become a living sacrifice, producing the kind of fruit expected of us as believers (Romans 12:1-2). In John 15:2, Jesus teaches that He will prune fruitful branches for increased fruitfulness. So we can be sure of more fruitfulness as we abide in the faith and grow in these virtues.
But on the other side are “those who don’t grow in these blessing”. The bible calls them blind people. Those who fail to grow cannot see clearly; they cannot produce any fruit unto godliness. They have forgotten the grace given to them. Therefore, they will be cut off because they are not fruitful (John 15:2a).
Meanwhile, I hope you can see that the second part is talking about those who don’t grow. This is because anyone who is not growing in faith is as equal or even worse than those who have not accepted the faith. For which parents are happy to see a child not growing at all or properly?
If you were to draw more fully on the power that Jesus made available to you, what changes would you hope to see in yourself?
