Be neither barren nor unfruitful
We were created to bear fruit and grow spiritually.
2 Peter 1:2-11 (NKJV)
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
Most believers see peace as something to ask God for, Peter viewed it as coming from our knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. This peace requires us to put effort in to obtaining knowledge.
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
Peter was saying that everything we need comes through knowledge of God. That’s because Jesus has already given us everything we could ever need when we came to know Him. We don’t need to get a new version or model. We just need a revelation of what we already have in Christ. Faith is already present (Galatians 5:22-23). But we do need to learn how to use what we have. Prosperity is already given; we just need to understand the principles that govern God’s prosperity and cooperate with them. Healing has already been deposited on the inside of us (1 Peter 2:24). We have the same raising-from-the-dead power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:20). We don’t need any more power. We just have to acknowledge what we have (Philemon 6) and then learn how to use it.
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
The knowledge of God actives our faith in the promises which are given in the Word. God wants us to fellowship with Him for eternity. The word used here for partakers is the word koinonos fellowship, the ultimate plan of God is for us to be part of His family and know His love. Many believers never grow up in this knowledge and either become complacent or frustrated. Peter goes on to give the process for growing so that we be neither barren nor unfruitful!
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence,
The word Peter uses for diligence is “spoude”, the root of which comes from “speed”. Peter is thereby placing a great important urgency on believers to grow in Christ.
Spiritual development must be very intentional in our lives. We must determine ourselves and make a firm decision to grow spiritually. It will require diligence and effort on our part as we are told by Peter.
add to your faith virtue: The word add, “epichoregon”, means to join to, to associate with, to supply or furnish one thing after another so that there be no want or divide. It was often used in the context of the director or leader of a chorus or dance where everything works together in harmony to the benefit of all. It also has the sense of progression and thus all of the things we are to add to our faith – virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness and brotherly kindness are both progressive and work in harmony with each other, with God being the director of this chorus in our lives.
The Greek word “arete,” which was translated “virtue” here, was also translated “virtue” in Philippians 4:8 and 2 Peter 1:3. It was translated “praises” in 1 Peter 2:9. Virtue is God’s excellence achieved in our lives as we grow in His love and nature.
to virtue knowledge: You cannot obtain knowledge without learning and this is discipleship. Faith is based on knowledge, and teaching is how people change the way they think. Facts, whether spiritual or natural, don’t govern your life. It’s your knowledge or perception of the facts and truths that controls your physical emotions and experiences (Proverbs 23:7 KJV).
6 to knowledge self-control: One of the fruit of the spirit is self-control – the ability of one who can master his desires and passions, (esp. sensual ones). It includes taking every thought captive and making it obedient to the knowledge of Christ.
to self-control perseverance: The Greek word that was translated “perseverance” here means “cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy” (Strong’s Concordance). The word “constancy” is defined as “1. Steadfastness, as in purpose or affection; faithfulness. 2. The condition or quality of being constant; changelessness.”
to perseverance godliness: Godliness is the reality of the Jesus’ teaching operating in our lives. Paul warns of those having the appearance of godliness but denying its power 2 Tim 3:5. The world looks for behaviour modification as an answer to social problems, but the reality of true godliness is behaviour transformation by the Word and the Spirit.
7 to godliness brotherly kindness: Godliness moves onto brotherly kindness, demonstrating the outworking of our relationship with God. It gives us the sense of family. 1 Pet1:22-23. Our spirits are purified through the regeneration of the new birth, our souls on the other hand are purified as we obey the truth, specifically the truth of walking in love with others (John 13:34-35, Galatians 5:14)
and to brotherly kindness love: Brotherly kindness moves into love (agape, the unconditional love of God for us and all mankind). The only way to have true love for others is through the power of the Holy Spirit. We, as mankind, have fallen so far from where God created us to be that we just can’t love others in ourselves. It is not part of human nature to love those who don’t love us. But God’s Holy Spirit has a supernatural love that has been deposited inside every born-again believer (Galatians 5:22). As we submit to the Holy Spirit and the Word, that supernatural love will flow through us and enable us to love those we couldn’t otherwise love.
8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Let us continue to give all diligence to these things so we are neither barren nor unfruitful! Encourage one another to learn as a way of life and consider starting a Bible School in your church to facilitate this learning for your people.