September 6

The Cure For Short Sight

For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. — 2 Pet 1:8-9 BSB

The Christian virtues we are called to cultivate are like golden links in a chain or necklace, starting with faith and ending with love, so that faith and love meet in the center (2Pe 1:5-7).

The word “supply” here conveys the idea of lavish expenditure (2Pe 1:5-11). In ancient Greece, wealthy citizens would express their goodwill by sponsoring public festivals or celebrations to honor generals returning victorious from war. They considered it a privilege to bear the cost, much like how people today endow hospitals and libraries.

Similarly, the Apostle urges us to spare no effort in cultivating these Christian virtues. No expense should be spared, whether in thought or effort, as long as these qualities are present in abundance. If they are, then a rich welcome will await you in heaven. You will not enter the Heavenly City unnoticed and alone. Instead, a joyous procession will greet you. You will not arrive like a waterlogged ship barely making it to port, but with flags flying and sails full! (2Pe 1:11).

Notice the order of these virtues. Each one contains the next, like a series of nesting boxes. Faith leads to courage, courage to knowledge, knowledge to self-control, self-control to patience, patience to godliness, godliness to brotherly love, and finally, love itself!

Those who lack these virtues are shortsighted—they only see the things of this world and miss the eternal realities. Verse 10 warns that cultivating these virtues will prevent stumbling in your outward life (Jud 1:20-24). Many people wait until they feel good to act in goodness. But the divine method is to step out in obedience to Christ, trusting that He will provide the grace we need.

Prayer

Accept, O Most Merciful Father, this renewed dedication of ourselves—body, soul, and spirit—to You. Grant that we may be like Jesus, pure and undefiled, meek and gentle, peaceable, patient, content, and thankful. Amen.