Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 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.

2 Peter 1:4-7 (NIV)

 

According to the Apostle Peter, we have been given a new, divine nature in Christ, and by abiding in Him we are to make every effort to add to our faith by producing fruits that reflects His grace and power working in us. This is why God's grace is so amazing because its impact in our lives is so inexplicably awesome.

These spiritual fruits are character traits found in the life of Christ. Peter calls us to add on our foundation of faith with goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. In other words, we would want to be more like Christ in attitude and action. To do so, we must constantly renew our minds in the truth of who we are and have in Christ so that our hearts and habits conform to the direction of His will.

We lack nothing in Christ and have everything—and praying for wisdom and revelation (cf. Ephesians 1:16-17) enables us to take hold of what rightfully belongs to us and walk in the authority that has already been bestowed on us.

Too often, we pray from a position lower than who we are and have in Christ, resulting in cautious trust, low expectations, and settling for less than what He has in store for us. We may believe we are being humble, but we are disobeying the truth that is in Christ. Thus, our prayers remain ineffective and lack confidence. Learn to fulfil your identity and purpose by renewing yourself in the knowledge of the truth in Christ, and the truth will enable you to live and flourish fruitfully.