Make Every Effort: Useless

Useless

2 Peter 1:8-9

 For His divine power has given us everything required 

for life and godliness, 

through the knowledge of Him who called us

 by His own glory and goodness.

   By these He has given us very great and precious promises, 

so that through them you may share in the divine nature,

escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.

   

For this very reason,

 make every effort to supplement your 

faith with goodness, 

goodness with knowledge, 

   knowledge with self-control, 

self-control with endurance, 

endurance with godliness, 

   godliness with brotherly affection, 

and brotherly affection with love.

   For if these qualities are yours 

and are increasing, 

they will keep you from being 

useless or unfruitful 

in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

   The person who lacks these things 

is blind and shortsighted, 

and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. 

   

Therefore, brothers, make every effort 

to confirm your calling and election, 

because if you do these things 

you will never stumble.

   For in this way, 

entry into the eternal kingdom of 

our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 

will be richly supplied to you.

2 Peter 1:3-11

If there is one thing that makes me shudder, it's the thought of being useless. I am a doer, and like to get things done without waisting time. I've caught myself saying to Kevin too many times, "Well, it would make more sense to do "X" in this way..." Efficiency and quality are important to me. How much more so they should be when concerning God!

God is saying, "Hey, if you truly love Me and want to be of any service to Me these are the things you should do."  2 Timothy 2: 20-26 begins by giving us another way to look at it. "Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and earthenware, some for special use, some for ordinary. So if anyone purifies himself form these things, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work..." It goes on to give more examples of how to be of use in God's kingdom. Stop and consider your walk with Christ. Are you a special gold or silver bowl shiny with use, or have you become a bit tarnished?

We also don't want to be considered blind, shortsighted, or forgetful. Jesus Christ paid an enormous price for us freely by living as a human for 33 years and then dieing a horrendous death on the cross while God's wrath was poured out on Him for the wrong you and I have done. How could we show Him we have forgotten that grace? The Gospels are full of examples of Jesus telling the religious leaders of the time that they just didn't get it. They were blinded to the Truth. Matthew 15:1-20 John 12:37-43

Paul has encouraged us not to be come like them by giving us a list of steps to take to open our eyes and see the usefulness within. Perhaps at times when we begin to notice our sight is failing, we need to come to the Savior to be healed and reminded of His glory and worth. Then let us go wash and rejoice, singing His praises before men! John 9