Given Unto Us Exceeding Great and Precious Promises - Part 899

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ [and] to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the righteousness of God, and of Jesus our Lord -- according as His divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness -- through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue, 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. (II Peter 1:1-4)

But this is not all. Not only does the divine power of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus give us all the things that pertain unto life and godliness, but through the knowledge of Him, we are called to glory and virtue. And then, as a consequence of seeking Jesus and His righteousness with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we are given -- like a gift --- exceedingly great and precious promises. It is no wonder we -- as believers in Jesus -- rejoice.

"For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God -- who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." (I Timothy 4:10)

And "we give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father, knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God for our gospel came not unto you in Word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia." (I Thessalonians 1:1-10)

How did they know?

"For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." (I Thessalonians 1:1-10)

And beside this, you give all diligence, adding to your faith virtue ... and adding to virtue knowledge ... and to knowledge temperance ... and to temperance patience ... and to patience godliness .. and to godliness brotherly kindness ... and to brotherly kindness charity. (II Peter 1:5-8)

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. (II Peter 1:8)

"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained ... having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (I Timothy 4:6)

Trust Jesus today. Read His Word, seeking His gifts for your edification. Take steps of faith so that you can experience the goodness of our Lord God and Saviour. Stand in the offering plate.