2 Peter 1:10 KJV [10] “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”      The word “diligent” conveys the idea of zeal and haste. It means that we must exert ourselves and make an effort. This verse alone disproves Calvinism in regard to election. You see, if election includes no exercise of human intellect, emotions, and will, then why did Peter tell the brethren to give diligence to make your calling and election sure? We are not robots in which God works in and through …

2 Peter 1:9 KJV [9] “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”      What does it mean to be legally blind? It is a term used to describe a level of vision impairment where a person’s visual acuity or field of vision is significantly reduced, even with corrective lenses. Legal blindness is not total blackness, but extremely poor vision. These people struggle and suffer in other areas of their lives due to their poor eyesight. Being legally blind can cause fear and anxiety. …

2 Peter 1:8 KJV [8] “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.”      We have just seen in the last three verses a list of things that Peter has given to believers to add to their faith. He now reveals to us the results of these things abounding in the believer’s life. Peter had experienced them in his own life and is now passing them on to other believers. I think this sums up the fruitful Christian life. We …

(Part Three) 2 Peter 1:7 KJV [7] “and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”      The phrase “brotherly kindness” means to help. We should be helpful by showing brotherly kindness to others, especially fellow believers. When Jesus was on earth, He showed kindness to all of those who were around Him. This means that Christ was approachable by all. Mothers would bring their children to Him for help. Lepers could approach Him for healing. Even the dying thief on the cross felt that he could ask the Lord to remember him in eternity. In the Bible, anyone …

(Part Two) 2 Peter 1:6 KJV [6] “and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;”      In this verse, Peter continues to encourage the saints to add to their faith. He instructs them to begin adding to their faith by having moral excellence and spiritual knowledge. Now he is emphasizing the word “temperance,” which means self-control. We must use the spiritual knowledge that the Lord gives us to help control our hearts, our minds, and our bodies. We live in a world that is out of control, so one of the greatest ways to shine our …

(Part One) 2 Peter 1:5 KJV [5] “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;”      After being born again, we have a responsibility to add to our faith. In the next few verses, Peter will talk about what we must add to our faith. This is an important truth that every child of God must be aware of in order to live a victorious Christian life. Let me begin by drawing your attention to the phrase, “giving all diligence.” He encourages the saints to give their all when it comes to spiritual …

2 Peter 1:4 KJV [4] “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.”      What a joy it is to be saved by the grace of God! If you have this assurance, then you know what it is like to live with the joy of salvation. I am so thankful that the Lord had more in store for His children than just saving us from Hell. He loves each one of us and has given us …

2 Peter 1:3 KJV [3] “according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”      The Lord is good to all of His children. You have never met a child of God who said, “I wish I had never gotten saved.” I have never heard this statement in all of my years as a Christian. I have heard many people say, “If I had known that being saved was this wonderful, I would have gotten saved sooner.” Why is …

2 Peter 1:2 KJV [2] “grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,”      The verse before us supplies us with two of the greatest resources of the Christian life. Peter mentions grace and peace in the opening of this verse. The child of God must have both of these present every day to serve and live for our Lord faithfully. Why is grace and peace so important? Why do we read of them so often in the greetings of the letters from the apostles? I think that these are legitimate …

2 Peter 1:1 KJV [1] “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 Saviour Jesus Christ:”      Peter places his title as a servant before his position as an apostle, because he was a servant first. He also remembered the teaching and example of our Savior. Jesus taught the disciples that they were to be servants of the Most High God. As believers, we should be mindful that we are servants of the Lord Jesus.       He addresses those who have …