HAVING AND LACKING1 Peter 1:8a “For if these things be in you . . . v 9a “But he that lacketh these things . . .”
A Jot from John
In the first chapter of Second Peter, God expresses three desires for his people. He expresses first of all a desire that they be genuinely converted. In the second place it is his desire that they have a natural, normal, and symmetrical growth. Finally, he wants them to have victory in their hearts and success in their efforts in the kingdom. It is this last desire that we shall be concerned with these brief words.
It is interesting to observe that the word “adding” in verse 5, in its “primary significance alluded to the Choric Dances, where with hands joined together, the performers kept up a measured movement to the sound of music.” Hand linked in hand, let all the graces advance together, faith giving one hand to virtue, virtue giving the other hand to knowledge, knowledge holding with free hand to temperance, etc. These are not detached graces, but faith is the root from which virtue and all the other graces grow. It is not one grace which makes a Christian. All are required, to make an integrated personality. Moreover, these graces will not come without effort, nor remain without culture. “Diligence” is the word emphasized in this connection. The original of the word is haste. It is employed to describe the eager swiftness with which the virgin went to Elizabeth after the angel’s salutation and annunciation. We must lose no time as Christians in adding this chorus of Christian graces to our lives. We note some results of possessing and not possessing these graces.
Having these virtues, means active, fruitful lives. “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful . . .” The words, “if these things be in you,” imply “yours permanently.” They indicate an abiding possession. The word “abound” indicates “abundance” and “fullness.” If a Christian possesses these graces in abundance and permanently, he will be fruitful and busy. “But these graces, possessed by you and kept in lively exercise, will neither suffer you to faint in your minds not be without fruit in your lives.” (Benson). Only active and fruitful Christians can know the deep meaning of being in Christ. Only they can know the meaning of happiness of heart and peace of mind.
Not having these virtues will result in spiritual myopia. “But he that lacketh these things are blind and cannot see afar off. . .” Myopia is a word used by oculists for short-sightedness. Spiritual myopia causes a person to put great value upon tangible, worldly possessions and little or no value upon heavenly things.
A person in possession of these virtues will never stumble nor fall. “. . . for if ye do these things ye shall never fall.” A Christian can never fail, stumble, or fall if he practices the virtues mentioned by the apostle Peter. It requires a great deal of diligence and labor to make “. . .you’re calling and election sure.”
Having these virtues, guarantee one an entrance into the eternal kingdom. “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” “When the Saints go marching in,” it will be, not a bare entrance, but “sweeping through the gates.” God will shower upon us a triumphant entrance with great splendor!