Be Faithful

2 Peter 1

Simon Peter, a bond servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

² Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, ³ as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, ⁴ by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

⁵ But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, ⁶ to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, ⁷ to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. ⁸ For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

¹⁰ Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; ¹¹ for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

¹² For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. ¹³ Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, ¹⁴ knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. ¹⁵ Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

¹⁶ For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. ¹⁷ For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” ¹⁸ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

¹⁹ And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; ²⁰ knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, ²¹ for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

To those who have obtained like precious faith, Peter says in verse 1.  This means to give all of our worries and cares over to God, and trust as we walk in love, patience, humility, and faith, God will bring His promises to pass.  Peter says in verse 2, “grace and peace be multiplied to us in the knowledge of God who has called us by glory and virtue to give us exceedingly great and precious promises."  However, if we don’t steal away and build our minds and behaviors in the truth of God’s word, we will continue to see corruption and be a part of its satanic moves everywhere we go.  God says our spirits are willing, but our flesh is weak to its lust for what man offers us in our world, which doesn’t come close to God’s invitations.  So Peter tells us to add to our faith in verses 5 – 8 these wonderful traits that are to carry us through the journey to bring down God’s love on us like no other.  Because in verse 9 if we are lacking these fruits we are shortsighted and near blind by the truth of God’s word, and should not deceive ourselves and become angered when the blessings don’t show up.  God’s way of thinking and operating in our world is completely opposite in how the world thinks.  Peter also asks us to be diligent in making sure our call and election is perfect.  That means we are to be campaigning for God and His word, living, breathing, eating, sleeping, walking and talking it.  Then he says an entrance will be supplied to us abundantly in the Kingdom of God.  We will then be given access into doors God opens that no one can shut, and doors closed that no one can open, helping us on our path into life everlasting.  We are to establish ourselves in this truth without wavering to the left or right, but straight into kingdom blessings.  I made a conscience decision when picking up the Holy Bible that God was going to see me through to peace and blessings.  I refused to turn in circles, wondering what religion was best suited for me when God sent my father back in a vision at age sixteen and shielded me from many life threatening situations.  God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, including my Angels have made it quite clear they are here for me.  Now be faithful and show them you are there for them.

Blessings to all who show their faith in God,

Vincent Young, Christian Analyst.