For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8 NIV
I purchased a product to stop a dog with bad behavior. It produces a high pitched sound that only dogs can hear. The advertisement said it would not hurt the dog’s ears but it would get their attention and stop the bad behavior. So whether it would keep Mallory from barking at another dog on the television or Danni turning into a doggie maniac, I ordered the product.
The problem is, I have had it for over a week and it is still in the box. I haven’t read the instructions and I definitely do not know if it will have the desired results. As long as my doggie training device stays in the box, it will prove ineffective.
Ineffective is defined as not producing any significant or desired effect. Some of its synonyms are unsuccessful, unproductive, worthless and inefficient. Words that are not something we want to describe our Christian life.
2 Peter 1 starts out telling us that Jesus has given us everything we need to live a godly life. Verse 5 states that we should make every effort to add to our faith qualities like goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love. According to verse 8, if we possess these things, they will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
All of us want to be greeted by our Savior with a hearty well done and not to be found like the servant in The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. He buried his talents and nothing more was produced. He was unproductive and the master was not pleased.
Like my doggie product left in the box is ineffective, so are we when we bury the gifts and talents God has bestowed on us. He has given us everything we need to live for his glory. Let us diligently add to our faith the Christlike qualities that will honor him and make us effective witnesses and a light to a darkened world.
Just Another Dog Devotion 