Bible Reading: Ezekiel 41-42; 2 Peter 1
“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 1:8(KJV)
From the above focal scripture, we have been given the antidote to barrenness and unfruitfulness. The scriptures say ‘if these things be in you and abound’. What are those things that we must have and allow to abound in our lives live for us to be fruitful? These are life qualities that is expected to be seen or manifest in our life as Christians. They are spiritual virtues that are expected from a Christian as a lifestyle. These virtues as enumerated are: – Diligence, Faith, Virtue,
Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, Charity. Having these virtues guarantees fruitfulness in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We need this knowledge for us to live a life of success and fruitfulness. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the
knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” 2 Peter 1:3(KJV). It is through the knowledge of Jesus Christ that we gain mastery of the above enumerated Christian virtues. When these Christian virtues becomes our lifestyle it enhances our productivity and makes us fruitful. These are divine facilitators of fruitfulness which we must imbibe to abolish barrenness or unfruitfulness. All these are products from the knowledge of Jesus, which guarantees our success in our spiritual race and in life.
Diligence talks about being steadfast, earnest, devoted and painstaking work and application to accomplish an undertaking. It is holding on strong and firm in what someone believes in and set his/her mind to do or accomplish. In Hebrews 6:11(KJV) the bible says “And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.” Our exercise of diligence will ensure our full assurance of hope unto the end. This is further elucidated in 2 Peter 1:10(KJV), “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, ye shall never fall:” The exercise of diligence in our Christian journey makes it infallible and sure.
Faith is define by our degree of confidence
and trust in God and His word. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) summarises the place of faith in our Christian pilgrimage, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them who diligently seek him.” Faith is the life wire of the Christian belief.
Virtue can be defined as a particular moral excellence. When the virtue defined above combine with the knowledge of God and His word it will definitely produce spiritual fruitfulness and life preservation. Temperance speaks of restraint, moderation in action,
thought and feeling. Galatians 5:23(KJV) “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” The virtue of temperance enables us to be moderate in all that we do. It is our check on excesses. Godliness is divine, pious and
devout. It is a supernatural godlike way of living. The scripture tells us in 2 Peter 1:3 that God has given us all things that pertains to life and godliness through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. All the above nine virtues are accessible
through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. When we study the Word of God diligently and meditatively we gain mastery of
the attributes of true Christian living and our fruitfulness is guaranteed. We gain the knowledge of Christ by diligent and
meditative study of the Word of God. Brotherly Kindness and Charity are virtues that demonstrate true love among
brethren.
Dear reader, all these great virtues are properly packaged in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, so our knowledge of Jesus
Christ and allowing Him in as our Lord and Saviour exposes us to these attributes of a good Christian lifestyle. It is
given to us progressively as we study and meditate on God’s word. I invite you today to accept Christ into your life so
you can be a beneficiary of these desirable virtues.
Prayer: Father grant me grace to enable me live a life that reflects your glory.
Pastor Joel Ezeugo