For whoever
lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that
he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more
diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these
qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided
for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.
II Peter 1:8-11
II Peter 1:8-11
Sight is a very important part of each of our lives. Many of you have had to deal with the loss of
near-sight. Reading glasses are
purchased to accommodate “Presbyopia” (a progressive loss of the power for my
eyes to accommodate near vision”). You may
find that this will continue until you reach hyperopia (far sightedness), requiring
correction to all aspects of your sight.
We can slowly drift from very good sight to poor sight, and if we do
not heed the warning signs begin to live life on a much lower level of health
and clarity.
You did not just wake up one morning and say, “Oh, I can’t read that
line.” It was a gradual thing. It can be
the same spiritually. Many of God’s
children have lost a measure of clarity, and may not even know it, even though
it is what is causing them headaches.
The passage above tells us… For if these
qualities are yours and are increasing… v.8a
Notice what you can be - 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.
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing…
v.8a.
1.
You will not be useless or
unfruitful…OR...You will produce fruit. …they render you neither useless nor
unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8
2.
You will make your calling and election
sure…OR…you will have assurance and demonstrate your salvation. Therefore,
brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and
choosing you. 2 Peter 1:10a
3. You will never stumble or fall…OR...you
will be a follower of truth not as easily ensnared by
lies. …for as long as you practice these things,
you will never stumble; 2 Peter 1:10b
4.
You will gain an abundant entrance into
the Kingdom of Heaven. …for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
2 Peter 1:11 Instead of "saved as by fire"
you will know an abundant life.
For he who lacks these qualities… v.9a
If "these qualities"
are lacking… You won’t see things clearly
For he who lacks these qualities is blind
or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 2
Peter 1:9
Peter says that if you do
not maintain your faith…
1.
You will be spiritually blind, v.9a - Unable to see the truth.
2.
You will be spiritually nearsighted, v.9b - Concerned only for the moment not
eternity.
3.
You will be cold and indifferent, v.9c - "forgotten your former purification" - Losing the joy of all that God has done will
affect the present.
The Christian life isn't an epileptic seizure followed by a coma. What
we have received will help us understand what we can become. "These qualities" will take an
effort to add, but will bring abundance to life.
Scripture to Claim:
Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” John 9:39
Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” John 9:39
