For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:8
At the beginning of his second letter, Peter gave a laundry list of spiritual characteristics that should be in ever-increasing evidence in the believer’s life. While Peter makes it very clear that the foundation of a life with Christ is saving faith, he also makes the point that it is possible for a Christ-follower to have saving faith and still be “useless or unfruitful.”
While many might think that Peter was speaking of spiritual productivity, but this is not what he intended. The Lord is most concerned with matters of the heart. Those who claim Christ must pursue goodness (as He defines it), knowledge (of Him), self-control (empowered by His Spirit), endurance (in obedience), etc., while also worshiping and serving in practical ways.
With God, quality always precedes quantity.
All of God’s people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose he has given them. – Oswald Chambers
