2 Pet 1:3-11
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 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. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Pet 1:3). Firstly, the gospel is the power of God granted for eternal life in Christ Jesus (Rom 1:16) and secondly, His precious promises are the power of God granted for growing godliness in Christ Jesus. (2 Pet 1:4). Chief among the precious promises are the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the correction and instruction of the Word of God.
God will not make us holy against our will and without our involvement though He has given us all things necessary for us to become more and more like Christ. We must want it and we must make every effort through discipline in supplementing our faith in Christ with the following graces of holiness :
- Virtue. Moral excellence which is also spiritual courage to stand for what is right.
- Knowledge. Knowledge of spiritual truth which can only come through studying and obeying the Word of God.
- Self control. We must have discipline in feeding on the Word of God, prayer, curbing our appetites and giving sacrificially.
- Steadfastness. Patient endurance in the face of persecution and adversity as the world will hate us on the account of our Lord and the gospel.
- Godliness. Our godly conduct will show others that we are truly children of God.
- Brotherly affection. When we love one another, others will know we are the disciples of Christ.
- Love. Love for the brothers will lead to love for all man.
We must be diligent in practicing these qualities otherwise we will regress. There is no standstill. Either we advance or retreat in our path of discipleship in knowing our Lord more and more and be like Him. 2 Pet 1:8. Retreat will lead to shortsightedness, blindness and forgetfulness. 2 Pet 1:9.
And if we practice these qualities diligently, we will never fall. 2 Pet 1:10.
