In this verse we are called to grow in knowledge, trust, and relational intimacy with Jesus Christ. Doing so builds a foundation to effectively steward our career, our money, and our relationships. All to positively affect the world around us.
It takes a lot of intentional living to be in fellowship with the Divine. There are no shortcuts, no easy path. We have to avoid the quicksand of apathy and the flaming arrows of the evil one. It requires daily faith and discipline in the “small things”. It requires us to steward our emotions, our ability, and our capacity to endure.
Without discipline, this verse tells us, our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ can be “ineffective and unproductive.” Unproductive in every way. Unproductive for our own fulfillment. Ineffective for our capacity to bless others. In other words, poor stewardship leads to a poor quality of living.
The strivings, effort, and work of a disciplined life are completely in our best interest. For being effective and productive in the knowledge of Jesus lays the foundation for our brief time on this earth.
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 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 1:5-8