2 Peter 1:3-10 KJV: The Power of God's Divine Nature
The Promise of God's Power
2 Peter 1:3-4 KJV
"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: 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."
In these verses, Peter emphasizes the power of God's divine nature, which is available to believers through Jesus Christ. God's power is not limited, but rather, it has given us everything we need for life and godliness. This power is not just a theoretical concept, but it is a practical reality that enables us to live a life that is pleasing to God.
The Precious Promises of God
2 Peter 1:4 KJV
"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."
The promises of God are not ordinary promises, but they are exceeding great and precious. These promises are not just words, but they are backed by the power of God's divine nature. Through these promises, we can experience the divine nature of God and escape the corruption that is in the world.
The Characteristics of a Godly Life
2 Peter 1:5-7 KJV
"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."
In these verses, Peter highlights the importance of adding certain characteristics to our faith. These characteristics are not optional, but they are essential for a godly life. We are to add virtue to our faith, which means we are to strive to live a life of moral excellence. We are to add knowledge to our virtue, which means we are to seek wisdom and understanding. We are to add temperance to our knowledge, which means we are to practice self-control. We are to add patience to our temperance, which means we are to endure difficult circumstances with faith. We are to add godliness to our patience, which means we are to strive to be like God. We are to add brotherly kindness to our godliness, which means we are to show love and compassion to others. Finally, we are to add charity to our brotherly kindness, which means we are to demonstrate our love for God and others through our actions.
The Benefits of a Godly Life
2 Peter 1:8-10 KJV
"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. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall."
In these verses, Peter highlights the benefits of adding these characteristics to our faith. If we possess these characteristics and they abound in us, we will be fruitful in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. We will not be barren or unfruitful, but we will be productive and effective in our Christian lives. On the other hand, if we lack these characteristics, we will be blind to the truth and unable to see afar off. We will have forgotten that we were purged from our old sins and will be in danger of falling away from the faith. Therefore, Peter exhorts us to give diligence to make our calling and election sure, so that we may never fall.
