2 Peter 1:8

2 Peter 1:8

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of out Lord Jesus Christ.

As we grow in our faith we need to have spiritual check-ups to see how we are doing. Peter has just presented us with a list of qualities that we can use to see how we are doing in our sanctification. We do not expect to be perfect in our Christian lives but we do expect progress. Think back over the past few days as you have read over this list and how do you measure up? I am not bringing this up to be a discouragement but an encouragement. Do you see any of these things present in your life? I will not ask if you are satisfied because no one should be satisfied with their progress. We are to always continue on and press forward to a more perfect state. Jesus Christ has come and saved us from our former sins. It is the devils goal to isolate believers and to render them useless through sin or unrighteous shame. Guilt that brings us to our knees for reconciliation is a good thing but shame that does not allow us to get up is a terrible thing!

We do not always feel like we are of any use to God and we may even question our salvation because we do not see fruit or evidence of Christ in our lives (we will deal with this issue more tomorrow) but read the list do you have any of these qualities? I do not care how small or how few you have at the moment be encouraged because if you posses some of these and you see them growing and increasing you are useful to God. Jesus does not need us to do His will but He has chosen to work through us. We all have the tendency to take control of a situation when we see someone performing a task poorly or inefficiently. Think about God’s situation and the job that He wants to have accomplished. He does not step in and remove us but He equips us and encourages us to do His work. He is so patient and loving. Are you being diligent in seeking how to do His work more effectively? Are we making an attempt to serve our Master with all of our hearts? Do we attempt to supply an moral excellence to our faith? Are we passive in our relationship with God? How does it make you feel when you deal with passive friends, when you are the only one putting in effort? God does not want us to be passive in our relationship with Him. He does not want to be the one who is always calling us or arranging a time to hang out. God wants us to be active in our relationship with Him. We need to plan a get together with God and be diligent to keep it. We cannot just sit back and let God do all the work in our lives! God provides the power to live the Christian life but we need to surrender actively our old nature. We need to be more active in our relationship with God and this list that we have just spent the past few days exploring is a good way to test your activity.

These actions are in no way meant to be a repayment for God’s salvation. We cannot add works to what God has already done for us. We use this list of actions to show God how much we love Him. You can tell your friends how much you care for them or your significant other how much you love him or her but it is your actions that prove your relationship. God does not want empty words but obedience. We sacrifice for our friends but because we love them does it feel like sacrifice? Be encouraged in your faith and your relationship with God today. If you do feel like you are struggling then be diligent and get in God’s word. Have a conversation with Him.