2 Peter 1:4 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.

Peter is extremely confident when he tells us these things. You see Peter denied Jesus three times after telling him he would never deny Him. He was also the one Jesus ask three times “Lovest thou me? Feed my lambs” “Lovest thou me? Feed my sheep.” “Lovest thou me? Feed my sheep.” The Lord said to Peter  “upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The Rock, Petra.  Peter tells us here, that you are given exceeding great and precious promises. He says that if we partake of this list and if we escape the corruption in this world, we can obtain them.

God will give to us, these exceeding great and precious promises and they will improve in us, and abound in our lives, if you are obedient to God and His word. God wants us all to have them and God desires them in us and wants them to increase in us.

What are these great and precious promises?

The list;

2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

2 Peter 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Faith = persuasion, credence; moral conviction- We need to be increasing always in our faith in God. We all at one time was persuased to believe. Now we need to continue… Show growth.

Virtue = behavior showing high moral standards. High moral standards come from God. To often we fill our lives with non-virtueous things. Look here!

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Knowledge = facts, information, and skills acquired by a person. We need to know God more. How can we know him? Through His Word.

Proverbs 22:17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

Temperance = self-control-We need to pratice self control daily in our lives.

Patience = Endure, Enduring, Patience, Patient, Patiently. -We all need more Patience to shine through us. Don’t be so quick to act.

Godliness = holiness, being Godly. We can always use more Godliness in our lives.

Kindness = fraternal affection – an affection for the fellowship of partakers. Joy being in church fellowship.

Charity =love affection – a love for one another.  We all love to receive love but we need to learn to give it out too.

Peter tells us to give all diligence to these things so that we can express ourselves in a manner that God would approve of, showing others we walk with Him. Peter begins his list with Faith and ends it with Charity. These are like two bookends that hold the rest of us together. We need all these things in our Christian walk and I am Sure Peter experienced them all on his journey with Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:8 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.

They are in us.  We must open them up. And use them.

They abound.  We must allow them to grow within and without us.

They make you. When these are on display in our lives, others will notice them and they will be part of our character.  Or be what defines us.

They cause us to be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are like a trees planted by water bringing forth fruit in our seasons.

We need these promises God has waiting for us, but there is only one way we can get them.   And this is the best and greatest promise of all. Salvation!

Do you want these promises today? Come today! Today is the day of your salvation!  Cast all your burdens on Him today! Jesus said,  My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.   Lighten your load today! Take His yoke upon you.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Selah ! Amen!