Abraham Maslow, one of the most influential psychologists of the twentieth century, estimated that only 2% of people reach their full potential. In other words, 98% of people live – to some degree or another – unfulfilled, unproductive and ineffective lives.
We instinctively know that this sobering fact is true. As human beings, we are constantly striving for meaning, purpose and lasting impact.
Many books have been written that share insights into more successful living and the practices one may adopt to achieve a more fulfilled life. Because all truth is God’s truth, many of these books contain truly helpful insights and advice.
In the Bible, we find God’s ancient, yet ever-relevant, wisdom for living a truly successful life – successful in what really matters. The book of Proverbs, for instance, is full of insights for successful living in God’s world.
The Apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 1:3–8, gives us solid, inspired truth to keep us from living an unfruitful and ineffective life—one that makes no lasting impact on people or on the Kingdom of Christ.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence… (v3)
False teachers were distorting the gospel (cf. 2 Peter 2) and most likely telling 1st‑century Christians that the gospel was a good beginning, but that they could provide the key to superior knowledge and greater spiritual blessing.
In contrast, Peter writes (v. 3) that God has acted in His infinite power to accomplish our great salvation in Christ. He adds that in Christ every believer has everything they need to live a life pleasing to God. No extra blessing, experience, or secret knowledge is required.
In Christ, we have all we need and more.
…by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (v4)
Through the gospel promise, Christians share in the “divine nature.” We do not become God, but just as God is Spirit, so we who are in Christ become spiritually alive. We were once spiritually dead, but now we are spiritually alive. As Jesus said, we are born again by the Spirit (John 3:3–6).
When we become Christians we are rescued from the corruption of this world and we live for the world to come.
Well, now that we have everything for life and godliness, what shall we do? Do nothing? Relax on the beach all day, every day? Do whatever we feel like? Simply wait for heaven?
…For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (v5-7)
Having everything we need in Christ to please God does not lead us to fatalism, passivity, or lethargy, which result in a life of ineffectiveness and unfruitfulness. Rather, our eternal identity in Christ leads to action and activity. We make a determined, concerted effort to live out our identity in practical ways. We are to “make every effort” (v. 4)
Dear Christian, don’t believe the false teachers who keep inventing new revelations for greater blessing. You have all you need in Christ. You need nothing more.
Therefore, Christian, work hard to adorn your faith with:
- Virtue, not vice
- Knowledge of God, not experience-only faith
- Self-control, indiscipline
- Steadfastness, not wavering or fickleness
- Godliness, not worldliness
- Brotherly/ Sisterly affection, not anger or hatred
- Love, not selfishness or indifference
What happens if you diligently work on these areas of your life?
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (v8)
A lifelong pattern of growth in Christlike character is expected of Christians and is the key to living an effective and fruitful life and ministry.
Self-reflection
Do you feel that your life is ineffective and unfruitful? Would you like to be among the top 2% of people who live out their God-given potential?
The solution is two-fold:
- Put your trust in Jesus as Lord
- Make every effort to put your faith into action
You make have heard of the concept of “marginal gains”?
“Marginal gains” is the concept that massive change does not happen overnight but through small, consistent actions each day.
Eric Partaker writes in his book, “The 3 Alarms”:
“People underestimate the power of taking small, imperfect actions regularly. Become an optimalist rather than a perfectionist…Perfectionists live in a world where everything must be just right. Optimalists share the same high standards, but also embrace reality. They focus on progress, not perfection, knowing that all the marginal gains compound over time…Get a little bit better every day, and when things go wrong, remember that stress builds strength.” (1)
Henry Longfellow, one of America’s greatest poets, put it this way in his poem, “The Ladder of St. Augustine”:
“The heights by great men (and women!) reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night.”
(1) Partaker, Eric. The 3 Alarms: A Simple System to Transform Your Health, Wealth, and Relationships Forever (p. 22). Partaker International Limited. Kindle Edition.