A note from Peter.
The apostle Peter writes,
“His (Christ’s) divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape 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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:3-11
Here is something all Christians need remember. The apostle Peter lists the things that make a Christian.
1/ Jesus has given us “everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him.”
2. Jesus has given us “great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
As a result we Christians must,
“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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love”.
If we do these things Peter tells us,
“...if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Peter then issues a warning,
“But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”
However Peter is quick to tell us
“... be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
While it is true we are saved by faith. Our faith should show in our actions and interaction with those around us. People should see the positive qualities of Jesus in us. As the apostle Paul notes,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23
The call of the Christian is to love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. We cannot afford to do less. The writer of Hebrews reminding us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14.
Francis of Assisi made a very important point when he said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
What is your sermon telling those around you?
Please think about it dear Christian as your actions may have eternal consequences.
The apostle Peter writes,
“His (Christ’s) divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape 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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:3-11
Here is something all Christians need remember. The apostle Peter lists the things that make a Christian.
1/ Jesus has given us “everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him.”
2. Jesus has given us “great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
As a result we Christians must,
“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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love”.
If we do these things Peter tells us,
“...if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Peter then issues a warning,
“But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”
However Peter is quick to tell us
“... be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
While it is true we are saved by faith. Our faith should show in our actions and interaction with those around us. People should see the positive qualities of Jesus in us. As the apostle Paul notes,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22,23
The call of the Christian is to love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. We cannot afford to do less. The writer of Hebrews reminding us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14.
Francis of Assisi made a very important point when he said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
What is your sermon telling those around you?
Please think about it dear Christian as your actions may have eternal consequences.
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