2 Peter 1:8 (ESV Strong's)
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Subject: Sanctification
Growing in the spiritual realm is about "increasing" in the things God has given us. He has given us His Spirit who produces fruit. That fruit is listed by Peter just prior to this verse:
2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV Strong's)
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
In verse 8 he is telling us that as we increase these qualities (listed in 5-7) we will "keep" us from being "ineffective" and "unfruitful" in knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. Our fellowship with Christ is impacted by our yielding to the Spirit of God while He produces these qualities as we walk in faith to Him. If I don't love someone, I must yield in faith to love them and obey Christ. That is when I act like Christ and "know" Him. That conforms us to His image. As I grow in these I become more effective and more fruitful.
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