Avoid Spiritual Myopia by Developing Eternal Vision

My dad loved to go on the road and see the sights. So, when a fellow student at Freed-Hardeman College asked him if he wanted to go to Memphis, he readily said yes.

The speed limit in Tennessee in the early 1950’s was “safe and reasonable.” His fellow student set out on a two lane highway at somewhere between 70 and 80 miles per hour. As they rode down the road, he told dad to be sure to let him know if he saw anything in the road ahead, since he could only see well slightly beyond the front of the car. His near-sightedness led to dad having the scariest ride of his life. It can spiritually result in much the same problem.

Christians who do not want to grow idle need to add the virtues mentioned in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Constant work on multiplying those virtues will result in good spiritual vision. Peter uses the word "if" to show the great importance of having these in one’s life. The apostle went on to speak of his readers abounding in these things, literally meaning to have more than enough. He expected them to put forth an all-out effort to grow in them (2 Peter 1:8).

Failure to do these things will result in spiritual myopia. The word “shortsighted” is only used here and means “seeing dimly, in a spiritual sense—unable to grasp the implications of being granted new life and godliness” (Stephen D. Renn, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words 869). One like that has forgotten the cleansing from sin received at baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21), as evidenced by the life he leads (2 Peter 1:8-9).

Since verses 8 and 9 are true, Christians want to strive with all their might to make sure their calling and election (2 Peter 1:10). They have been called through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). The gospel is for all (Mark 16:15; Romans 1:16), but not all receive the call with an obedient spirit and thus fail to be of the elect (Matthew 7:21; 1 Thessalonians 1:3-6). One can be sure of his calling and election if he does the things Peter has set forth. In fact, Peter assures such individuals will never fall.

This passage teaches the possibility of apostasy. After all, how can one make sure that which has never been unsure? The near-sighted will fall, but those whose sight is set on the far goal of heaven will not fall.

Christians working diligently to make their call and election sure, will enter heaven. Christ’s followers are already in the kingdom and look forward to being in the eternal kingdom, or heaven (Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 1:9; Matthew 25:34; Acts 14:21-22; 2 Timothy 4:18). Remember, the A.S.V. said Christians must have a faith which supplies virtue and virtue knowledge, etc. (verses 5-7). If one supplies the graces and abounds in them (verse 8), God will abound ("abundantly") to supply ("ministered") heaven, which is the eternal kingdom (2 Peter 1:11).

God’s people should be keenly aware of the fact that this earth is not our final stopping place. Heaven should always be the ultimate goal. We must keep our eyes on the eternal prize and let that be the guiding influence impacting all of our decisions. Nothing is sweeter than “the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!”