8 Qualities for Spiritual Growth and Fruitfulness (2 Peter 1:5-11)
The apostle Peter mentions 8 qualities he says will keep us from being barren and unfruitful in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ— if we possess them and continue to grow in them (2 Peter 1:5-11). Further, he says that if we diligently practice these qualities, we will never stumble in our walk with God. And to crown it all, we will receive a rich entrance into our Lord’s eternal kingdom.
“5 For this very reason, make every effort (give all diligence) to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective (barren) and unproductive (unfruitful) in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, strive (be diligent; make every effort) to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice (do) these things you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a lavish reception (rich entrance) into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-11
These are exceedingly great promises, and it is important for us to really consider and meditate on these qualities, making every effort not only to possess them but also to grow in them.
The 8 Qualities:
1. Faith
Faith is belief, trust, assurance, and confidence in God. It is being sure that God is who he says he is, trusting every word he speaks in his word and living by it (obedience).
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
2. Virtue
Virtue is moral excellence and moral goodness. This means cultivating godly virtues as revealed in God’s word and living by them.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8
3. Knowledge
This is knowledge that comes from knowing the Lord Jesus. In Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We grow in knowledge primarily by studying God’s word, which reveals his nature, mind, and will to us.
“So that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18
4. Self-control
Self-control means having restraint and self-mastery. This is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It means being led by the Spirit rather than our carnal nature (flesh).
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24
5. Perseverance
Perseverance can also be referred to as endurance, patience, and steadfastness. The Christian walk has trials and tribulations, but we are called to endure to the end so that we may keep the faith, and receive our eternal reward.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
“You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” Hebrews 10:36
6. Godliness
Godliness refers to piety, devotion, reverence for God, and holiness. It is the cultivation of a godly life and character. We are called as believers to be conformed to the image of Christ. And this is cultivated through obedience and being led by the Holy Spirit in all things.
“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8
“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” 1 Timothy 6:11
7. Brotherly kindness
This is a special love for fellow believers: love for the brethren. Christians are supposed to show love to one another since we belong to the same family. We are members of one another and members of the body of Christ.
“Let brotherly love continue.” Hebrews 13:1
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.” Romans 12:10
8. Love
This is agape love, which means affection, goodwill, or benevolence. It is used in the Bible to refer to our love for God and also for one another. It also refers to the love God has for us.
“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
“Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:10
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” John 15:9
A Warning to Those Who Lack These Qualities
“But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted (shortsighted) to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” 2 Peter 1:9
The warning to those who lack these qualities is that they are nearsighted. They do not have an eternal vision for their walk with God and are blind. They have forgotten that they were cleansed from their sin. These are people who have forgotten that they were saved and are living like the world. This is a dangerous state, as it means the promises given to those who possess these qualities do not apply to them. Let us take heed!
The Benefits of These Qualities in Our Spiritual Walk
“Therefore, brothers, strive (be diligent; make every effort) to make your calling and election sure.” 2 Peter 1:10
Peter encourages us to strive (be diligent; make every effort) to make our calling and election sure. And that if we possess these qualities (faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love) and continue to grow in them, we will reap the following benefits:
1. We will be useful and fruitful
“For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective (barren, idle) and unproductive (unfruitful) in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8
Faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love will keep us from being barren and unfruitful. We will bear fruit in our spiritual life and for the kingdom of God.
2. We will never stumble
“Therefore, brothers, strive (be diligent; make every effort) to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice (do) these things, you will never stumble.” 2 Peter 1:10
Faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love will keep us from falling and help us to stand firm in our walk with God. This is because they will produce maturity in us.
3. We will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
“…and you will receive a lavish reception (rich entrance) into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:11
And at last, most importantly, Peter says that if we possess faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love, and continue to grow in them, bearing fruit, we will receive a rich entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
May the Lord help us to cultivate and grow these qualities in our lives, and be diligent to make our calling and election sure.
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:9-10
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