Scripture

“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 ‭1:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation

How to fight against spiritual ineffectiveness and unproductiveness?

These are the qualities we must add into our lives and keep increasing it:

Faith > Goodness > Knowledge > Self-control > Perseverance > Godliness > Mutual Affection > Love

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1:10-11 NIV

The answer for God’s calling to our salvation starts with faith and reaches love. Along the way, there are all those qualities to be added and increased in our lives. But it is not linear and has no end. It is to have these qualities in increasing measure, always adding more.

Application

These verses help me to understand that spiritual ineffectiveness and unproductiveness are about stumbling or doubting the calling of our salvation and our election. Those who forget to have these qualities increasing in their spiritual life will eventually backslide from the ways of the Lord.

So, it is super important to always keep increasing these qualities in our lives:

“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.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV

 

Prayer

Graciously Father. Help me to keep increasing these qualities in my life. Help me to teach others too so they will always be growing their faith and the qualities in their spiritual lives. In Jesus’ name, I pray.