Our scripture this morning is 2 Peter 1:3-8.
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“God has given us everything we need for living a godly life” (v. 3) – what a wonderful gift! However, we must use these gifts as He intended, merely having them won’t do. A full tool box doesn’t get the job done, we have to pick them up and perform the work.
God calls us to holy work in our world, loving Him and each other and sharing the Good News with all. Each of us are gifted in different ways. Peter tells us that we can grow in faith and “the more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 8).
God has blessed us and promised eternal life when we walk in faith, using the gifts we’ve been given for the good of all His children. Peter tells us to “make every effort to respond to God’s promises” (v. 5) so that we fulfill our part of His plan. When we respond to each other’s needs in His name, we share God’s love.
Heavenly Father, we are grateful for all the gifts we receive from You. Bless us to use them well in the service of Your people. Amen.