Bystander or Blessed?

2 Peter 1:8-11 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. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
PETER had just listed seven traits of a faithful life. Now he preaches into the church’s heart. It’s time to make a decision: Will you be an effective, productive Christian? Will you make good use of goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love?
   To not have them is to ignore God’s gifts to grow into your faith. For example, someone chose to give you the knowledge of God by giving you a Bible. You have it. But do you use it? If you use it to guide your life, the Bible becomes a gift that will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if you keep the gift on the shelf, you will be spiritually nearsighted, unable to see God’s blessings so richly available to you.
   Without knowledge, you cannot build your faith above its foundation. The very tragic result is that your life will remain unchanged. You will forget God’s precious present. How sad and disappointing it is to watch people who once were actively engaged in building their faith to now see them stop and leave the church.
   What happens that causes Christians to put God’s gifts on the shelf? Do they think the gifts are worn and ineffective? Might they believe God rewards complacency? Have they lost their love for the Gift Giver?
   To reject such attitudes, Peter urges us to make our election sure. This is another way he exhorts the church to participate in the divine nature (verse 4). The opportunity has come to the elect in the Spirit’s power to make the most of life. God has given us purpose and the ability to be of God’s character. Why would we waste this gift to leave it unopened and powerless on the shelf of our complacent soul?
   Perhaps we forget where we’re going. Keep your eyes on heave. You should be always grateful and willing to celebrate and use God’s faith-building gifts. No person and no desire should keep us from the sure blessings of our election. You have received from God, the Creator. Treasure the gift. Put it to use, so you can live into Jesus’ promise: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
   God promises you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This echoes Jesus’ lesson in the parable of the talents: Matthew 25:21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
   Yes, the kingdom of God is the reward of all who are chosen by God. Will you live as a bystander? Or will you live blessed in the full rewards God has planned for his faithful children?