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Daily Bible Reading (Wednesday, November 15th)

4

2 Peter 1 (ESV)

 

Greeting

Simeon[a] Peter, a servant[b] and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirm Your Calling and Election

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[c] his own glory and excellence,[d]by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,[e] and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities[f] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers,[g] be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body,[h] to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,[i] with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes:

  1. 2 Peter 1:1 Some manuscripts Simon
  2. 2 Peter 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface
  3. 2 Peter 1:3 Or by
  4. 2 Peter 1:3 Or virtue
  5. 2 Peter 1:5 Or excellence; twice in this verse
  6. 2 Peter 1:8 Greek these things; also verses 91012
  7. 2 Peter 1:10 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
  8. 2 Peter 1:13 Greek tent; also verse 14
  9. 2 Peter 1:17 Or my Son, my (or theBeloved

4 Comments

Praying that I may live out vs. 5-7 in diligence.

Another magnificent passage that is packed with truth, but it is also very practical. Building on what Bruce pointed out, since we have power from God for all that pertains to life and godliness, "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." These are traits we all need to practice and in which we must grow. Thankfully, we have the power of the Sprit within us to do this. It's overwhelming that our God gives us not direction for our lives, but the power to live it. Praise God!

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence" Verse 3 is one worth thinking about very carefully. If I have come to know Jesus Christ then I have all things that pertain to life and godliness. Not only does that take away all my excuses (I can't do that; that is too hard, etc) but it fills my heart with hope. Something has been done for me and in me that now empowers me to live in a different way and to truly live in a way that can be called godly. I want to live that way and I can and if I am to see it truly happen then I must supplement my faith by developing the characteristics listed in verses 5-7. Based on all that has been given to me in Christ I truly have reason to give thanks!

Verses 17-19...what prophetic utterances by the prophetic word given to the called, such as to the apostle Peter himself. As he states it is “more fully confirmed” to them might I add, “to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place“. Father help me in being fully attentive to your spoken divine word knowing the confirmation of verses 20 & 21 and confessing my sins with bended knee and full submission to your will. Guide us as being that lamp because the days are evil. To God be the honor and the glory...

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