2 Peter 1:1-15

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

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

To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, 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 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.

13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,

14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

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

To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, 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 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.

13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,

14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

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

To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, 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 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.

13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,

14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

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

To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, 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 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.

13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,

14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,To those who have received a faith of the same [b]kind as ours, [c]by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us [d]by His own glory and [e]excellence. [f]For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.  Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral [g]excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,  and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,  and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.  Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;  for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

To those who have received a faith of the same [b]kind as ours, [c]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 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us [d]by His own glory and [e]excellence.4 [f]For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral [g]excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind orshort-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.  I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,  knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.  And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

To begin with in this chapter of 2 Peter which is effect his last will and testament. one very important questions has to be answered. Is God talking about me?

Now only one person in your life can answer that question and that’s you! Regardless of whether you believe that God is talking about you, or you don’t think He is talking about you.

He is without a doubt talking to you and I. You see if we take a close look at the scripture we see that it clearly says in the beginning verse “ to those who have received a faith of the same as ours”. So if you believe in God He is talking to you.

So if you beleive in God He is talking to you.

Raise you hand if you want more grace and peace in your life. Then you are in the right place today. Look at verse 2 and I love this verse for its simplicity and power.

If you want more grace and peace get to know God better than you did yesterday. Peter tells us in this verse that grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. This verse confirms Christ position in the God Head. When we learn about one we grow in knowledge of all three, and the just reward for us is that grace and peace will be multiplied to us. That means increased.

Have you ever experienced the grace of God in your life? Lord I feel you. and I what more.

Peter uses the term “the true knowledge of God”. That’s not a passing knowledge of God but a relationship that’s not just listening to what others have to say because false teachers are everywhere. But truly getting to know God Him and learning to study and pray with a genuine determination to apply His word to our life.

if we are reading His word but not asking the question, “How do I apply this to my life”, we are missing the point. Too many times we look at God’s word and apply it to someone else’s life not our own. God did not give us His word to for someone else. He gave it to you. Its personal and private for you, because only you and God know your secret struggle and fears.

What God has for you is for you. The Bible clearly tells us that God called each and everyone of us by His own glory and excellence.

God did not call us to project on to others. He called you and I to be the best you He created you to be. His words to you are His personal conversation, speaking into your life to move you from a life of sin, to a life of joy.

God did not call us to project on to others. He called you and I to be the best you He created you to be. His words to you are His personal conversation, speaking into your life to move you from a life of sin, to a life of joy.

His words move us past out past into His glorious present. God’s love for you and I is so intense it moves us beyond our bad choices and decisions.

the promises of God empower us to partake of the divine nature of gGod and frees us fro the bondage of lusts. You see lust is selfish and love is selfless. the world we live in is rampant with different lusts. Money, sex, power, fame, you name it.

Now we get down to the how to do it. Again our answer is right in the scripture. Now this first point is one of the most challenging for most of us.

God is calling us to diligence, which means making every effort, hard work and perseverance, particularly with regard to a relationship with God. Our relationship with God becomes a challenge when we face adversity and trials.

We don’t think we have the power or strength to persevere, when God has already told us we have “Everything we need pertaining to life and godliness”. It takes really believing that you do.

We need to understand that that we always have two eyes that are in conflict. I want and I need. The true knowledge of God and Jesus Christ helps us to manage the battle.

God is all we really need but we substitute everything else for God in our lives. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with wanting, but it is a very thin line between want and lust. Knowing God for yourself makes you stronger and more powerful to fight these battles.

These battles will not stop until Jesus comes back, because what we we are in fact battling is temptation, and as long as you and I are Christians, satan will work hard to distract you and I.

so the more we grow in knowing God the more God like and God acting we become. We start to impact our world, the people around you and people who come into contact with you. Your life may be the only Gospel they will every get to hear.

Because then the power of the love of Jesus Christ just flows out of you and you then start to draw people to Christ because they see Jesus in you and in how you live in this sin sick world.

You become a shining light on a hill that draws people to Christ by living your testimony. The more you get to know Jesus the brighter your light will shine. Shine you light. shine your light for the whole wide world to see.

Shine your light so others may come out of the dark, drawn to your light. The light of the love of Jesus Christ. What they will find out is that it’s not your light but the light of Jesus shining through you because you are walking in the marvelous light of Jesus.You just have to remember that you are always walking in the light.

By taking on god’s divine nature we escape the corruption of this world and all its lusts. The bonus is we draw others to Jesus by how we live our lives.

We live in a world full of temptations and lusts. Our knowledge of Jesus, educates us on how to battle the forces of evil in our life.

reminds us that “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”.

Let me finish telling you the how. We already talked about diligence but here is the rest.

Supply moral excellence and that means being extremely good at knowing what is morally right and standing firm in your belief in what God says is morally right and not compromising to get along with the world.

We need to have self-control, life come at you fast and so does satan so slow down. Be still and know that I am God. That’s what god says. Stop pray worship and praise. You have response-ability. The ability to respond in any way you so choose. Choose well and choose God’s way.

Speed and fear are a dangerous combination and satan uses them to perfection against us. So stop and pray to God that you know He is still in control. thank Him for this opportunity to live your faith and praise Him for what Hs is about to do. Then listen and think about the solution not the problem. Most of the trial we have are not life and death situations they just feel that way.

Most of the trial we have are not life and death situations they just feel that way.

We have to look constantly beyond failure and tragedy to distant horizons and see God in the solution. tells us, :Blessed is he who waits..”.

So be steadfast, that is what perseverance is and see your faith at work in the solution. WWJD is a very good question and I think another question is just as good. What would Jesus want me to do?

He would want us to be Godly, because in godliness we will show brotherly kindness and in that brotherly kindness , love.

Now here is an important point in the scriptures. Its a promise of God. Verse 8 says “for if” these qualities are yours and are increasing they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The more we grow in the knowledge of Christ the closer we get, the more His compassion overflows through us to others. confirms this for us. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Along with faith, love is the supreme mark of a Christian. . But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the [a]greatest of these is love. Everything begins in faith and ends in love.

By our closeness to Jesus grows our mutual affection starts to reach out with grace and mercy to others.

Here is what happens when you and I embrace this life of diligence and it may have happened to you already. Diligence produces a stable and consistent character in you, it produces greater endurance in the midst of difficulties, and stronger resistance to temptation.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Old and sinful habits fall away, and you may not even notice it. You don’t go to the same places you use to go. You don’t say the things you use to say, and you don’t do the things you use to do.

You have new habits, and new places and different ways of talking now. The things that use to tempt you don’t faze you anymore. Because the Spirit of God has provided something more satisfying. The opportunity to know Jesus.

You will not or may not even realize that God is moving in your life and you look up one day and find out that you have become a light in a hurricane to others in need of a Jesus who saved you and can save them.

You become a beacon in the night that guides someone home to Jesus and all you did was get to know Jesus better today than you did yesterday.

I’m almost done. Now please listen closely to what I’m going to say. I need you to understand this and get your arms around it. All of the things that have happened to you and in your life have been for a reason.

The reason is because He lives, because He lives you can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone. because we know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives.

Because He lives I don’t have to worry about money.

Because He lives I’m not concerned about a job.

Because He lives peoples not liking me is no longer a concern.

Because He lives life just looks different and better now.

Because He lives I can be who He created me to be.

Because He lives I’m not fearing any man.

Because He lives I can withstand the storms of life.

Because He lives people talking about me doesn’t matter.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next day.

Because He lives my yesterdays don’t matter.

Because He lives all the dark days are gone.

Because He lives you and I stand and live in the presence of a God who loves us unconditionally.

Tomorrow doesn’t matter because I he lives with in my heart today.