2 Peter 1:9

The absence of these virtues gives evidence of lack of true knowledge. Peter described this condition as spiritual blindness to the realities connected with their relationship with God and, in particular, shortsightedness (lit. myopia, Gr. myopazo). Such people show concern about living for the present with little regard for the future (cf. Esau). James called this dead faith (James 2:17; James 2:26).

Many Christians have forgotten how much God has forgiven them, or they have appreciated His forgiveness only superficially.

"As is usual in the Bible, the idea of ’forgetting’ is not a mental process but a practical failure to take into account the true meaning and significance of something." [Note: Moo, p. 48.]

Often it is both in our lives.

Those who "have forgotten" have little motivation to grow in grace and thereby please God. They do not add the seven ingredients to their faith that Peter urged. Peter referred to this omission as forgetting one’s purification from his or her former sins. Having forgotten one’s escape from the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:4), this person fails to see the importance of present purification through continued Christian growth.

This is one of the most practical and helpful passages in the New Testament dealing with spiritual growth. Peter presented both the reason for and the method of this growth clearly and attractively here.

"Peter was certainly a spiritual realist even if many modern theologians are not. He does not take it for granted that spiritual growth will occur automatically or inevitably. Indeed, the character development he thinks of cannot occur apart from the believer ’giving all diligence’ toward that end (2 Peter 1:5). This does not mean, of course, that the believer does this all on his own. God supplies the basic resources and provides help along the way. But Christian growth will not occur apart from our diligent participation in the process. If we learn nothing else from this passage, we must learn this. We do not passively experience Christian growth, but actively pursue it!" [Note: Hodges, 2:1:3. Cf. Romans 8:12-13; Philippians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:14-16.]