Peter tells the believer that they have been given a “divine nature”, which is the very nature of God. With that divine nature in every one of us, our lives are now elevated to a position that they could never have been prior to our conversion. Because of this new position, we are expected to see “all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (1:3), at work in our lives.
Notice that the things pertaining to life and godliness only come out of us as we increase in the knowledge of who God is within us. From this knowledge we then see the following progression in our lives: diligence, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity. As these fruits grow in your heart, they guarantee that the believer will never be “barren nor unfruitful” (verse 8).
Peter is basically stating the same thing that Paul did regarding the fruit of the Spirit. These wonderful by-products of knowing the Lord should always be springing up within the heart of the redeemed. Fruit grows naturally, and needs only the God-given elements to do so. No coaching or prompting on our part makes the apple tree give apples, so no prompting or works on our part makes the heart produce fruit.
Why tell us that these things should be in our life if they must be brought out by the Spirit? If they are not there, then how can our knowing that we lack them help us to bring them out? Peter answers this question in verse 9:
“But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”
If the believer lacks any of the virtues listed in verses 5-7 it is not because they are not consecrated enough. It has nothing to do with their works or their effort, but rather they are blinded as to who they are in Christ, and they have little spiritual insight into their position in Him. Furthermore, they have forgotten that the blood of Christ has taken their sins away.
So many problems could be avoided by all of us if we would remember on a daily basis that we are forgiven of our sins. The knowledge of forgiveness silences the voice of condemnation in our heart and lets us live free in the wonderful grace of God. When we recognize that we are forgiven, our spiritual eyes are opened and we see God’s purpose for our lives. His fruit begins to explode in every area of our being and we walk in the “exceeding great and precious promises” (1:4).
Remember that your old sins are gone and walk free in these sweet promises of our Father. Have a great day believer!
Notice that the things pertaining to life and godliness only come out of us as we increase in the knowledge of who God is within us. From this knowledge we then see the following progression in our lives: diligence, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity. As these fruits grow in your heart, they guarantee that the believer will never be “barren nor unfruitful” (verse 8).
Peter is basically stating the same thing that Paul did regarding the fruit of the Spirit. These wonderful by-products of knowing the Lord should always be springing up within the heart of the redeemed. Fruit grows naturally, and needs only the God-given elements to do so. No coaching or prompting on our part makes the apple tree give apples, so no prompting or works on our part makes the heart produce fruit.
Why tell us that these things should be in our life if they must be brought out by the Spirit? If they are not there, then how can our knowing that we lack them help us to bring them out? Peter answers this question in verse 9:
“But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”
If the believer lacks any of the virtues listed in verses 5-7 it is not because they are not consecrated enough. It has nothing to do with their works or their effort, but rather they are blinded as to who they are in Christ, and they have little spiritual insight into their position in Him. Furthermore, they have forgotten that the blood of Christ has taken their sins away.
So many problems could be avoided by all of us if we would remember on a daily basis that we are forgiven of our sins. The knowledge of forgiveness silences the voice of condemnation in our heart and lets us live free in the wonderful grace of God. When we recognize that we are forgiven, our spiritual eyes are opened and we see God’s purpose for our lives. His fruit begins to explode in every area of our being and we walk in the “exceeding great and precious promises” (1:4).
Remember that your old sins are gone and walk free in these sweet promises of our Father. Have a great day believer!
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