What a fantastic blessing for us to be at peace with the creator of all things! Not only that, but we are under His grace as well! It is just a great way to start every day – under God’s grace and being at peace with Him as well. “Grace and peace BE MULTIPLIED UNTO YOU through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2Wow, not just grace and peace but MULTIPLIED GRACE AND PEACE! How do we obtain this? “His divine power HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR A GODLY LIFE through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 Remember the word “knowledge” comes from the Greek word epignosis two words: epi – marked, ginosko – a relation between a man and a woman -or- a union as between husband and wife. “Whereby are given unto us EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES: that by these YOU MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4 We have partaken of an earthly, sensual, and devilish nature; the design of God by Christ IS TO REMOVE THIS, and to MAKE US PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE; and save us from all the corruption which is in the world; the source of which is lust, an irregular, unreasonable, in ordinate, and impure desire; to have, to do, and to be, WHAT GOD HAS PROHIBITED! So how do we prohibit this corruption in our lives? By: “….giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance [control]; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love [agape, Godly love]. 2 Peter 1:5-7 “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.” 2 Peter 1:8 “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, MAKE EVERY EFFORT to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, YOU WILL NEVER STUMBLE, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11
THESE PROMISES WILL KEEP US FROM BEING INEFFECTIVE AND UNPRODUCTIVE…
-Bill Stockham