Introduction:

1. Having discussed God’s desire that we know we have eternal life, it seems fitting to discuss His instructions to secure that life.

2. Peter revealed this plan to his readers along with the assurance that the Christian cannot stumble as long as he/she continues in this plan.

Discussion:

I. Partakers of The Divine Nature (vv. 1-4)

A. Peter’s readers had obtained “like precious faith” with him (vs. 1).

1. Literally, a faith of equal standing or value (ESV, NKJV footnote).

2. God’s righteousness made this faith accessible (Romans 1:16-17).

B. He desired grace and peace be multiplied to them (vs. 2).

1. The catalyst is knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus (vs. 2).

2. This knowledge also supplies all things pertaining to life and godliness thanks to God’s divine providence (vs. 3).

3. Great and precious promises accompany His provisions (vs. 4).

C. In this way, we may partake of the divine nature (Hebrews 12:10-11).

II. Supplements to Our Faith (vv. 5-7)

A. God supplies our every spiritual need (Ephesians 1:3; 2:1-10), but He expects us to supplement our faith to secure our election.

B. Add= to supply, furnish, aid, contribute (Thayer, Strong, Mounce)

C. Peter listed seven elements to make our faith complete:

1. Virtue= moral excellence (Thayer; NASB; cf. 1 Peter 2:9 of God)

2. Knowledge= necessary to understand what is virtuous

3. Self-control= doing what we know to be virtuous

4. Perseverance= often what is virtuous is difficult (Acts 14:22)

5. Godliness= that which is like God (cf. Ephesians 5:1; Hebrews 12:10-11)

6. Brotherly kindness= applied godliness (Romans 12:10; 1 John 4:20-5:3)

7. Love= the bond of perfection (Matthew 22:36-40; John 13:34-35; 14:15; 15:14; Colossians 3:14; 1 John 4:7-12).

D. The tense of the verb indicates a continual process.

III. Assurance of The Eternal Kingdom (vv. 8-11)

A. As always, God supplies what we need (vv. 3-4), expects us to act (vv. 5-7), and assures us of victory (vv. 8-11).

B. For= properly assigning a reason.

C. If the graces named above are both in us, and continuing to grow, then we have some tremendous assurances.

1. Our knowledge of the Lord will not be barren or unfruitful (cf. Matthew 3:10; John 15:1-8).

2. We avoid spiritual shortsightedness and blindness (Matthew 15:14).

3. We make our calling and election secure.

4. We will never stumble while adding these things to our faith.

5. An entrance will be abundantly supplied into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1. God spent much time and energy supplying all our needs to multiply grace and peace to us as we partake of the divine nature.

2. We have a responsibility to add these qualities to our faith that our calling and election may be secure.

3. Continuing to do so guarantees entry into the eternal kingdom, so let us always be diligent to supplement our faith with these qualities.