Being Made Fruitful In The Knowledge of Jesus Christ

I noticed something when I was reading 2 Peter 1:1-11, kind of a formula I guess. I noticed God told us all that we would need in order to most definitely be fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Being diligent, we are told to: Add to Faith---->Virtue To Virtue---->Knowledge To Knowledge---->Self Control To Self Control---->Perseverance To Perseverance---->Godliness To Godliness ---->Brotherly Kindness To Brotherly Kindness ---->Love. If we have all these things we will never stumble and an entrance will be supplied to us abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11.

This is what I noticed about that scripture from looking closer, it's the order in which we grow. God supplies us with faith and with that virtues are produced, then through God's Holy Spirit revealing truth to us through the Word we gain the next part which is knowledge. 


I have noticed that once we have gained knowledge on many things then we are tested on these things, and in our tests (trials) what is an important requirement in order to pass? Self-control. So we add to knowledge self-control, how? Through tests. Now once we have gained self control we have to endure (never giving up), and not giving up in a race requires perseverance. So, now we add to our self control perseverance, much needed qualities in trials; self-control and perseverance, stickability, a no quitting type of attitude. It may seem difficult at times but God is with us working in us and helping us to do what is right, we must obey Him.

Now once we have obtained those things then godliness is to be added. We must imitate Christ by being humble, gentle, merciful and forgiving. Then we add to godliness brotherly kindness, care towards the needs of the saints, the brethren. Then finally add to godliness the greatest gift, a more excellent way, Love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). 

We're all tested and tried in these things if we took a minute to think about the tests and trials we've been through, it's all God's work and He's working these things in us so that we can be neither barren or fruitless (2 Peter 1:8), basically perfected in Jesus Christ. And I noticed these things listed are the similar to the fruit of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23 "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." 

Isn't it wonderful? God's producing these things in us daily through His Holy Spirit our helper. Let us rejoice and exalt His Holy name. To God belongs all the glory.