2 Peter 1:1-11 New International Version (NIV)
1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Confirming One’s Calling and Election 3 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. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 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. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Mon. December 14
Peter was completely dependent upon the forgiveness of Jesus. At the trial of Jesus he denied knowing his Lord three times. Years later he was publicly opposed and condemned by the Apostle Paul (see Gal. 2:11-13). This is why he reminds us that the “divine power [of Jesus] has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” Any good we do is God’s gift and work in us. Everything, even the good we do, is God’s work. By faith, God is at work in our hearts and lives. This is important because Peter reminds us that there is a great cosmic battle between God and this “corrupt world.” As Christians we live in “occupied territory.” We are part of the underground freedom fighters. The traditional church language called those of us living in this life the “church militant” as opposed to the “church triumphant.” But we must cling to the grace of God because we need God’s power. We “fight” in this world through normal, everyday stuff, such as virtue, knowledge of God, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. In God’s power through faith in Jesus, go, fight, and set others free through forgiveness and love!