4
Through these he has given us his very great and precious
promises, so that through them you may participate in the
divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world
caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort
to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;
6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to
self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and
to mutual affection, love.
8 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.
9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted
and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from
their past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[fn]
make every effort to confirm your calling and election.
For if you do these things, you will never stumble,
11 and you will receive a rich welcome
into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
(II Peter 1:3-11 NIV)
GOD
has given us everything we need for a Godly Life. We are
promised that we may participate in the Divine Nature. It
all comes from GOD through our knowledge (experience) of
Him who has called us by His own glory and grace. It is
a process as we grow in the LORD and it all starts with
FAITH. Verses 5 – 7 tells us the process. The Amplified
Bible defines what the Greek words and thoughts are;
For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine
promises], employ every effort
in exercising your FAITH to develop VIRTUE
(excellence, resolution, Christian energy);
and in [exercising] VIRTUE [develop] KNOWLEDGE,
and in [exercising] KNOWLEDGE [develop] SELF-CONTROL;
and in [exercising] SELF-CONTROL [develop] STEADFASTNESS
(patience, endurance),
and in [exercising] STEADFASTNESS [develop] GODLINESS,
and in [exercising] GODLINESS [develop] BROTHERLY
AFFECTION
and in [exercising] BROTHERLY AFFECTION [develop]
CHRISTIAN LOVE. (II Peter 1:5-7 Amplified Bible)
Notice the pattern. As you exercise, there is a development.
As you exercise Faith, Virtue is developed. As you exercise
Faith and Virtue, Knowledge is developed. As you exercise
Faith, Virtue, and Knowledge, Self-Control is developed.
As you exercise Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, and Self-Control,
Steadfastness (Patience, Endurance) is developed. And as
you exercise Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Self-Control, and
Steadfastness, Godliness is developed.
Let’s pause here for a moment. Many of us at times
try to practice Self-Control by our own effort. But that
is not what it is saying here. True Self-Control is developed,
not manufactured. It comes from exercising our Faith and
all that is developed from it. When you find that you are
lacking in Self-Control, it’s because you are not
exercising Faith and all that is developed from it.
Also
I want to point out that of the above has to do with us
on a personal basis. GOD is bringing us to this state of
GODLINESS (God In Us). As we grow in the LORD and live in
a state of Godliness. We are then ready to reach out to
the world. By exercising all the above, Brotherly Affection
(Love to and for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ) is
developed. And by exercising all of the above, LOVE (Agape)
is developed. Agape is the Greek word used in the bible
to describe GODS LOVE. It is a Love that goes forth and
needs nothing in return. It is a total giving!
It’s not I love you if – It’s I LOVE YOU,
which is a Love that only GOD can give. This how we participate
in the DIVINE NATURE.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[fn]
make every effort to confirm your calling and election.
For if you do these things, you will never stumble,
11 and you will receive a rich welcome
into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
(II Peter 1:3-11 NIV)
Selah –pause and think about this. To HIM be the honor
and glory - Amen |
