If you are like me, you want to be gainfully employed and make your best contribution to the Kingdom. According to Peter, we all should be “fully employed” in this cause. Notice what it says in 1 Peter 1:8,

“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.”

In the prior context of this quote, Peter is telling the readers how important it is for them to be growing in virtue. He lists some virtues that should be hallmarks of Christian growth. The result of such growth shows the disciple is fruitful in their salvation knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. If I am growing in the expression of virtue, I am fruitful for the Kingdom!

It is interesting to note that Peter puts the responsibility for this growth on us. The word translated “ineffective” is referring to someone who is “unemployed because that person avoids work.” We are to take on the responsibility of engaging in the work of growth even though God is the only one who can cause this growth in me.

We all need to be growing in our salvation knowledge of Jesus Christ which means we are “effective” or “fully employed” in the Kingdom.  The result of this employment will be increasing virtue in our lives and will make us fruitful in our service of Jesus. I need to take on the responsibility to pursue growth in my life through walking in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the path of the Word.

Father, I thank you that growth is supposed to be the norm for the disciple of Jesus. As I choose to cooperate with you by yielding to the leadership of the Holy Spirit in my life and walk in the path of the Word, you will cause growth to happen. This growth will express itself in some way, and I will have an impact for your Kingdom.

Following Jesus with you,

Jeff