HE HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING

2 Peter 1:3-11
God has given us great and precious promises. For God's promises to come true, there is a part that we must play. Our part is to add to our faith the various qualities mentioned here. We are called to make every effort, i.e. to do whatever is necessary.

GOODNESS
This is defined as "virtue equipped at every point; being righteous and virtuous. The opposite of goodness is badness. A bad person is one who is immoral, unjust, cruel, etc.

The good man is not perfect but exemplifies purity and self-control.

Romans 5:7 A good man is adorable and loveable. Goodness is a quality to have together with righteousness.

Romans 12:21
Overcome evil with good.
The world teaches us to exact revenge and pay back others for the wrong they do to you. The world says that you are weak if you do not hit back at people. As disciples, since we know that it is wrong to strike out at people or insult them, we can hold back from physical retaliation but still strike out in our hearts, e.g. with evil thoughts. That, though, is still evil. Good has the power to overcome evil.

Goodness includes apologizing when your sin towards someone is pointed out by the offended party.

To the best of your ability, always desire to see people happy.


KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge empowers.
The knowledge we get from the Bible transforms our lives. When you have knowledge from the Bible, you have the power to say "no" to unrighteousness and the conviction to take a godly stand in challenging situations.
At church we learn a lot, not only from the sermon preached, but also from the fellowship we have with others. When it comes to knowledge, there are things we watch on TV, access on the internet or read in novels, which will ruin us and not build us spiritually.


SELF-CONTROL
1 Peter 1:13 Anger and lust are just two sins that come as a a result of lacking self-control.


PERSEVERANCE
This is the ability to endure in difficulties.


BROTHERLY KINDNESS
This is to be considerate, compasionate and charitable.


LOVE

Love can do what no other virtue can do. It is the conquering power over a world of wickedness. Love acts unselfishly while all around are seeking their rights. It gives until it can give no more. Love is not treating well those who treat you well, but treating well those who do not deserve it.

v. 10 When you make all these qualities part of you, you are assured of a ticket to heaven.

2 Peter 3:9 There is no way that we can make it to heaven if we do not believe and hold to the promises of God.

Let us add all these great qualities to our faith and hold unswervingly to the awesome promises of God.