Farsighted

If you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. —2 Peter 1:8

The word useless means “idle; inactive.” If you have faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love—and if you’re continually developing these qualities—they will keep you from “idling out” spiritually and you will bear fruit for God’s glory.

However, Peter says that if a person lacks those qualities and isn’t growing in them, he is “blind and shortsighted” (v. 9). This isn’t someone who has no spiritual sight at all but who can only see what is temporal and earthly. He’s got great close-up vision, but he can’t see things that are eternal. He’s lacking spiritual insight and discernment.

When we are growing in the graces of 2 Peter 1, we will become eternally-minded. Our vision will be like that in the old chorus: And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. ² May we turn our eyes upon Jesus and be able to see through the lens of eternity.

² “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus,” Helen H. Lemmel (1922).