April 21, 2026

 2 Peter 1:1-15…Useless and Unproductive Christians


Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

“To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.”


Context: Meaningful achievements in life are worthy of note so, we often devise ways to recognize them. In sports we have a “Hall of Fame.” The highest academic honor is usually “summa cum laude”, In the military, the “Congressional Medal of Honor” the highest recognition for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile enemy force. In the Arts, we have “Oscars and Emmys and Grammys.” When good things happen, we want to celebrate it. And, we should because the achievements do not come without hard work, dedication and discipline.

Except, apparently, salvation; the greatest possible event in our entire eternal lives…

A commonly cited estimate is that about 91% to 95% of “Christians” have never verbally shared the “good news” of their salvation with anyone, though this figure is usually presented for evangelical Christians rather than all professing Christians. A more conservative survey finding is that 61% of regular churchgoers have not told another person how to become a Christian in the previous six months. 


Explanation: And, this is not a new problem since Peter addresses our responsibility (and our failure) to “live out your faith in a way that proves it is real…“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and protects you from drifting away” (v. 8). 

A “useless and unproductive” Christian, in Peter’s sense, is a believer whose faith is not showing itself in growing character, obedience, and good works. Peter is not saying the person has no salvation at all in that verse; he is warning that a Christian can live in a way that their faith produces little visible benefit for others or honor for Christ. And, this matters.

Our core mission as Christians is to”make disciples” (Matthew 28:19, 20). Growth in Christlike qualities (fruitfulness) is what makes discipleship visible and credible in pursuit of this singular goal. Failure to engage this mission makes us “useless and unproductive.” In practical terms, a disciple-making person should aim for two things:

  • People coming to faith in Christ.
  • Those believers growing in character and obedience so they can help others follow Jesus too.

Illustration: My son in law hired a man to work for his company. He was energetic, charismatic and confident but never produced the objectives he was hired to deliver. Instead, he became very proficient and explaining why he was unproductive. His most visible traits included chronic procrastination, complaining instead of solving problems, avoiding initiative, and poor time management. Because he added no real value, he didn’t last.


Application: Believers will enter heaven even if they have nothing to show for their labors, because salvation is by grace through faith alone—not earned by works or fruitfulness. But, It boils down to this; do we want to limp into glory with nothing to show? Peter warns against barrenness to motivate fruitfulness (2 Peter 1:10-11 promises a “rich welcome”). All glorified saints rejoice fully, though some shine brighter. Making disciples directly builds treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20) because eternal rewards come from investing in people whose faith endures forever, not perishable things. 

So…how do we become “useful and productive” believers? Peter explains…Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love” (vss. 5-7). 

We call it “Spiritual Disciplines.” We “work out” our spirit the same way we work out our bodies and our minds. If we don’t…our spirits atrophy; progressive wasting away or shrinkage due to disuse, poor nutrition, disease, or lack of stimulation, leading to loss of function and size. Peter warns against this “spiritual atrophy” because it makes believers ineffective and unfruitful, forgetting their cleansing from sin. He provides a regimen of daily spiritual  exercise.

  • Moral excellence - Peter calls it aretē—a term for moral heroism or excelling at what’s right, not just avoiding wrong but actively choosing what honors God most. It is pursuit of superior goodness and virtue in character and conduct, standing out as the best possible moral quality in every situation.
  • Knowledge - Unlike mere facts or head knowledge, this is wisdom applied to life: discerning right from wrong, knowing Scripture deeply, and understanding how to live out faith effectively. Peter stresses it because faith without growing knowledge stays immature and ineffective.
  • Self-Control - (enkrateia in Greek), meaning mastery over personal desires, emotions, and impulses to pursue what is right and godly. Peter places it after faith, moral excellence, and knowledge because head knowledge alone does not guarantee obedience—self-control is needed to align actions with truth. It shows up as resisting temptation, staying disciplined in habits, and choosing long-term spiritual good over short-term gratification.
  • Perseverance - meaning steadfast endurance under pressure or trial—staying faithful and obedient even when it’s hard. Peter places it right after self-control because self-control can falter without the resolve to “keep going” through opposition, suffering, or temptation. It’s the quality of not quitting, bearing up under life’s load with courage and hope, so that every other virtue becomes reliable and effective.
  • Godliness - (eusebeia in Greek), meaning reverence for God expressed through a life that reflects His character in devotion, obedience, and practical holiness. It goes beyond external rules to an inner attitude of worship that shapes every choice—living as if God is always watching and worthy of your best. Peter puts it here because perseverance alone can become grim duty without the joy and purpose of aligning with God Himself.
  • Brotherly kindness - (philadelphia in Greek), meaning warm, familial affection and practical care shown toward fellow believers as spiritual siblings. Peter places it after godliness because reverence for God should naturally flow outward as tangible love within the church family—acts of service, encouragement, forgiveness, and putting others first. It’s not generic niceness but loyalty and tenderness that builds unity, making the church a visible witness to Christ’s love.
  • Love - (agapē in Greek) meaning selfless, sacrificial choice to seek the highest good for others (salvation)—regardless of whether they deserve it  from prior context. Peter places it last because all prior virtues build toward this: moral excellence gives it direction, knowledge gives it wisdom, self-control gives it discipline, and brotherly kindness gives it warmth prior conversation. Without agape, even godly traits can become self-focused; with it, every action glorifies God and serves people. It’s the capstone that makes faith productive and effective.


Prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You grateful for Your divine power that has given me everything I need for life and godliness through knowing You. Thank You for calling me to share in Your glory and excellence. Today I commit to Peter’s challenge. With Your help, I will diligently add to my faith:

  • Moral excellence to live with integrity in every choice.
  • Knowledge to grow wise in Your Word and ways.
  • Self-control to master my desires by Your Spirit.
  • Perseverance to endure trials without quitting.
  • Godliness to reflect Your reverence in my daily life.
  • Brotherly kindness to love my fellow believers as family.
  • Love to sacrificially seek others’ good above my own.

Holy Spirit, empower these spiritual disciplines—prayer, Scripture meditation, fasting, worship, solitude, service, and stewardship—so I won’t atrophy or become useless and unproductive. Keep me from spiritual short-sightedness; remind me of my cleansing from sin. Make my faith effective, fruitful, and confirmed, storing up eternal rewards through disciple-making and faithful obedience.

May I enter Your presence with a rich welcome, having invested in what lasts. All for Your glory. Amen.”

Live boldly out there today…


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