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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
2 Peter 1:1-11
Peter begins this second epistle by reminding the Christians of what they have been able to share in: precious faith (v. 1); "all things" pertaining to life and godliness (v. 3); finally the "exceeding great and precious promises" (v. 4). Our, faith which takes hold of what God gives should not remain idle. It must be accompanied by energy, called virtue, in order to attain to knowledge (the word which characterises this epistle). At the same time temperance is essential if we are to make full use of our strength; then patience, which knows how to persevere in toil. In this spiritual atmosphere we develop the following relationships:1. with the Lord: godliness;
2. with our brethren: brotherly kindness;3. with everybody: love.
These seven complements of faith form a complete unit, like the links in a chain. If any are missing it leads to dramatic consequences in the life of a Christian: spiritual ineffectiveness, unfruitfulness and short-sightedness. He cannot see very far; his faith can no longer make out on the horizon the heavenly city, the end of the Christian pilgrimage (cf. Hebrews 11:13 . . .). The eternal gates have already been opened for Christ, the King of glory (Psalms 24:7; Psalms 24:9). May He grant us in our turn an abundant entrance into His everlasting kingdom.
