2nd.Peter 1:1-8 "Simon Peter, a servant and an Apostle of JESUS CHRIST, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of GOD, and of JESUS our LORD. According as HIS divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of HIM that has called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Murphy's Law is an adage or epigram that is typically stated as "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." Some people have modified it to: "If something can go wrong, it will. If it can't go wrong, it's going to go wrong anyway." Too often, Pastors have this mentality when it comes to ministry. Preach or teach a message on eternal security to comfort fearful saints of GOD, and someone may accuse you of believing and teaching that one is free to live as he or she pleases. Declare that salvation is by grace through faith alone, and some will think that they may then keep on sinning to take advantage of GOD's grace -- the very thinking Paul corrects in Romans 6:1-11.
The Apostle Peter gives us, through GOD's WORD, a beautiful balance in handling seemingly paradoxical truths as he deals with GOD's sovereignty while also setting forth man's freedom and responsibility. From the opening verses of today's text we find that salvation is the work of GOD from start to finish: The LORD calls us, implants the divine nature with us, and gives us power in "all things" (vv.1-5). Peter then shifts his focus to the believer, exhorting him to live a righteous life. Not only does the LORD save us by HIS grace through faith alone, but HE then directs us to follow HIM in an obedient walk that is summed up in verses five to seven: "Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." Why ? "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD JESUS CHRIST" (v.8). JED
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
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