You're Useless

“…they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-8

You’re useless.

How sharply those to words can sting. 

Looking back into my childhood I remember hearing those two words from other kids and even my teacher. I remember the pain and shame that came with them.

As I grew older those two little words weren’t said, but they were implied. Oh, we were older and somewhat more dignified when it came to insulting others, but I still remember the pain and shame that came with the implication.

Two little words… You’re useless.

It’s funny how two small words can strip us of our feelings of self worth.  The thought of being useless brings with it the crushing weight of not being loved or appreciated. Feeling incapable of contributing to anything overwhelms our thoughts.  I know, I’ve been there.

But….

Peter tells us how we can avoid being useless. “…they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:8b) The word barren means lazy, useless, barren, idle or slow.  So how do we avoid being useless?

In the verses previous to number eight, Peter imparts a wealth of information from God on how to be useful.

 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: ⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. ⁵And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; ⁶And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; ⁷And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. ⁸For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-8

First, we learn that God has given to us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” Through God divine power we have been giving the tools we need to live a godly life.  The Bible Reader’s Companion gives this insight, “Salvation is a stunning gift. It provides a new and dynamic principle of spiritual life. It infuses us with power for a life of godliness. It lifts us beyond our human limitations so we can “escape the corruption in the world caused by the evil one.”

Secondly, we see that Christ has called us to glory and virtue through knowledge of Him. Glory is the honor, worship and praise for God. Virtue is having moral character.  Through the study of the life of Jesus we gain reasons to give Him glory and examples of godly moral character.

Lastly, Peter list the tools you need to add to your faith in Christ. These tools will, if applied diligently, will ensure you live a life that in not useless or unfruitful. “…add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; ⁶And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; ⁷And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”  These tools are given to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.  But it’s our responsibility to apply these tools.  “God gives us spiritual resources, but we’re responsible to use them. Thus Peter says “make every effort” to develop those qualities God’s Spirit will produce in our lives. He won’t work if we just sit, lethargic. But He will work in us if we do our part.” (The Bible Reader Companion.) God will work in us. If God is working in you, then your life is not useless.

So the next time you or I feel useless, we can remember that, through the power of the Holy Spirit we are called to glory and virtue and to partake in His divine nature so that we will not be useless or unfruitful.