The Ozark Mountain people have a saying: "A man don't know nothing he hasn't learned." In other words, we all start from the same level and build. Even genius depends on the data given it. William Shakespeare used play books to write his masterpieces. Mozart is said to have taken the opening theme of the overture The Magic Flute from a Clementi sonata. This does not diminish the genius of these men. It merely points out that their work stemmed from that of their predecessors.
In our work with the Lord, we must remember that every day is a building process in our lives. We are learning how to walk with Him. We were not born into the Kingdom fully grown. In 2 Peter 1:8, Peter talked about that building process. He implied that we all start on the same level and "build" daily.
Our building materials are virtues such as faith, knowledge, and temperance. Others are patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. Peter said that as we give these virtues full sway in our lives, we are fruitful; and as we ignore them, we are barren. Peter's plea is clear: Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble (2 Peter 1:10).
“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:8 KJV
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