God Has Acted So We Can Act

     His divine power has granted everything pertaining to:

       Life and godliness

       He has granted to us his precious and magnificent promises

                   So that you may become partakers of the divine nature.

       In other words we have everything we need to live the life God intended for us

                   This life of godliness of life – that’s the goal

Our understanding of this is the basis of NT Ethics.

       God is at work in us – God is the provider of all we need for life and godliness

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

The function of the divine nature is to lead us to Godly living.          

Quote:  The Christian experience must not be an initial spasm followed by chronic inertia.

In this beautiful paragraph Peter orchestrates a symphony of grace. To the melody line of faith he leads believers to add harmony in a blend of seven Christian virtues which he lists without explanation or description. A carnal Christian has spiritual myopia (v 9), but a spiritual Christian is both effective and productive (v. 8) in his understanding of the Lord Jesus and his application of biblical principles to daily life.

The Connection

            Participation in the divine nature is to result in the exercise of moral living

Kai auto touto de

For this very thing/reason with the addition of the word also and but

But also for this very thing – the introduction of something new that is based on what is said before

Bring in alongside of you diligence

Eagerness and zeal and an abandonment of sluggishness and self indulgence

The Logical Conclusion

In your faith supply –

Supply was the abundant supply that was needed to produce a great play or some public celebration.

The Christian must engage in this sort of co-operation with God in the production of a Christian life which is a credit to him

Make Progress

Keep advancing in these things – this is not meant to be sequential

Toward:

Moral excellence

Knowledge

Self-control

Patience

Godliness

Brotherly love

Agape love

Are you making every effort toward:

            Moral excellence in your life

Increasing your knowledge of God’s character and his will

Exercising self control

Enlarging your capacity for patience

Developing godliness and a heart after God

Growing in affection for fellow believers

Stirring up love – even for those you dislike the most

The Logical Consequences

            You will not be idle of unfruitful

            You will not be nearsighted and blind

                        If you lack these things you are nearsighted and blind

                        Probably thinking about the false prophets

            You will have confidence in your calling

            You will not stumble

            You will enter heaven

What are you passionate about?

How diligent are you in moving forward in Christian growth and maturity.

                Growing up in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.