2 Peter 1:8 KJV
[8] “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We have just seen in the last three verses a list of things that Peter has given to believers to add to their faith. He now reveals to us the results of these things abounding in the believer’s life. Peter had experienced them in his own life and is now passing them on to other believers. I think this sums up the fruitful Christian life. We ourselves must grow in the Lord to full maturity and pass along to others what God has done in our lives.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of adding to your faith. God wants to do more in your life than just save you. He gives every man a measure of faith so that he can trust the Lord Jesus to save him from hell. Then, He gives us the Bible and the Holy Spirit to help us grow and build upon the faith that was first established. As wise builders, if we add to our faith, then our verse teaches us that we will not be barren nor unfruitful in our Christian lives.
Peter also points out where our fruit will be most evident. We become fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus. What does this mean? It means that we have a deeper relationship with Him and we know Him better. The ultimate goal of every believer should be to know Christ more and to be more like Him. God’s plan for our lives is to make us more like Christ, so we must add these things to our faith. These characteristics can easily be seen in the life of Jesus when He walked on this earth. They characterized who He was then, and who He is today. Dear reader, if you want to be a fruitful Christian, then practice these things in your daily life.
There are many church people today who have filled their lives with works, but they are barren and unfruitful. They know how to serve in the church and busy themselves in the work of God, but they lack these Christian characteristics. While service is commanded, it is no substitute for a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Remember, a machine can produce work, but a tree can produce fruit. The difference is that a tree has life in it. Fruit is the result of eternal life living inside of us as believers. The world doesn’t need to see our works, but they need to see our new life in Christ. This should be seen in our daily character, conversation, and conduct. Purpose in your heart today that you are going to memorize and practice these qualities in your daily life.