For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.(2 Peter 1:8 – ESV)
If these qualities are increasing: think about that. In the kingdom of God we are either increasing or decreasing. To be more precise, we are either increasing in fruitfulness, and thereby decreasing in self and sin, or the opposite, we are increasing in self and sin, and thereby decreasing in fruitfulness. We are either moving forward or sliding back, there is no status quo in the process of sanctification. We must be about the business of increasing, growing in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). The alternative is spiritual blindness (2 Peter 1:9).
In the list Peter gives here in 2 Peter 1:5-10, his words seem very similar to if not the same as Paul gives in Galatians 5:22-23 when describing the fruit of the Spirit. It is often said that we do not produce the fruit we only bear it. However when we consider this passage and others we must realize that we do indeed have a part to play. Certainly it is still it is done in God’s power (1 Corinthians 15:10 / Galatians 2:20 / Philippians 2:12-13), but we are elected to action not apathy (Romans 8:29 / Ephesians 1:5,11). Just because God is sovereign doesn’t mean we are static.
You see, when we were spiritually dead, the Enemy blinded our spiritual eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4). Then God said let there be light and we were born again (2 Corinthians 4:6). Even so, as believers we still see as through a dark glass (1 Corinthians 13:12). However, we can increase our spiritual sight even through the dark glass as we behold Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The problem is that many are not learning by yearning to let their light shine (Matthew 5:16). They don’t really want it because they don't think it’s worth it. Instead of giving off the radiant glow of their Redeemer, they turn down the dimmer switch. They think that just because they have seen the Light that they can turn the heat on and off any old time they like. The lights are down, they become drowsy, and the place gets cold. Soon they fall fast asleep. If they decide to get up and move around to get some warmth, they go bump in the night against anything and everything because they cannot see, it is dark! And they are just sleepwalking anyway.
Paul gives us the remedy, he tells us we must awaken by being more righteous in behavior than we were before we fell asleep and put the light out (1 Corinthians 15:33-34). He says it is high time to wake up because the dawn is near (Romans 13:11-12). If we do Christ will give us light and we may be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:14-18). But we cannot be filled with the Spirit when we are sleepwalking around, drunk on the drowsiness of the dimmer switch. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober (1 Thessalonians 5:6 – ESV). We are all increasingly decreasing: either in sin, or in sight.
16 comments:
I hope you can see the value of what has been said here...
"they go bump in the night against anything and everything because they cannot see, it is dark! And they are just sleepwalking anyway"... I think I was more walking dead than asleep, so deceived by the darkness
The next to last paragraph reminded me of Pilgrim's Progress, where Christian reaches the rest stop on Hill Difficulty and falls asleep. That which was meant to comfort and strengthen us can become the thing that causes us to sleep.
Hmmm...interesting, I hadn't thought of that, but indeed, check the favorite books on my profile page...it never fails that you will be influenced by what you read, and when you write, others' thoughts have a way of coming into your own words...for better or worse...when I read some bloggers I see Sproul, or Piper, or S. Lewis Johnson ;-) having an influence on them...
Excellent. "Increasingly decreasing", I'll remember that.
I do see it as God bearing the fruit, but us remaining, or abiding, in His Word, and in Him.
And for sure, the abiding can be blood, sweat, and tears.
The other thought I had was: "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together".
Indeed, Don...
It is high time to wake up. And not be putting our lights under a bushel.
I just linked onto your site for the first time and enjoyed what you said and how you said it.
Welcome, thank you, and God bless you...I see you are from OK and have grandchildren...we have a grandbaby on the way in OK in August, which we will be travelling there to see...
How is it that Ted puts it..."Ungrateful Lunatics"....I think that could apply here....
Lynda R
4-13-07
we are either increasing in fruitfulness, and thereby decreasing in self and sin, or the opposite, we are increasing in self and sin, and thereby decreasing in fruitfulness.
We are all increasingly decreasing: either in sin, or in sight.
Self examination is necessary daily. Hmmm....how is my sight today? Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Ps 139:23-24
A grandbaby on the way in August? Who's having a baby??
That was Erin, sweetie...this psot was first published 4-13-07, which is why i out those numebrs there each time we post a certain article again...now, we aren't expecting number 3, are we...?
That was Erin, sweetie...this post was first published 4-13-07, which is why we put those numbers there each time we post a certain article again...
Now, we aren't expecting number 3, are we...?
Hey, I wanted to erase my first, badly spelled comment, but the garbage can thingy isn't showing up right now...sorry for the repeat...the comment, not the post, of course...
:-)
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