Remember, of what Peter speaks of here is the result of: Faith received; Knowing God, now, personally, experientially, more and more; Then, having God’s Divine power, in the midst of all of this, everything we need for life and godliness - life and godliness are the fruit, the result, of the gift of the relationship – Life in and with Him: to be as effective and productive in Him and then to recognize that we will be as effective and productive in the relationship as the effort we put into the relationship - though there, we must take responsibility for their strengthening (further) and practice.
Faith: received and precious; authored, pioneered, and perfected by Jesus Himself and given to those who believe, to believe and entrust self to by trusting love in response to being loved.
Knowledge: this incredibly up-close, interpersonal, and experiential relationship with God Himself, initiated, energized, and kept, by God, and enjoyed by His children. This with… God, the Father and Jesus,, our Lord
Grace and peace – in abundance, increasing measure, and that, lavishly given and given some more: the resulting experience of that relationship - its fruit
Abundance: a reflection of God’s generosity and the call to us to respond – generously (Jam 1:5; Rom 10:12)
Toward God (Luke 12:21)
To or toward, or, on behalf of, (Acts 2:42-48; 2Cor 9:13)
One another: the brotherhood - according to their need - with ALL that we have been given
Others – those who have yet to receive –the hope of the gospel, life in Jesus, the Life.
This is a foreshadowing of where Peter is leading: to increase in Jesus and our relationship with Him
“Make every effort to…” out of: Gratitude and Appreciation
“…add to your faith, goodness…” or courageous and generous service - which is a perpetual energizer. We serve out of the energy of gratification (saved and made/created to obedience to Jesus (out of love) and to good works – out of this love. This service fuels our spirit and soul - serving breeds and stirs fervor (Rom 12)
This life, this godliness, the fruit of our relationship with God, in Christ, by His Spirit – that Divine power, should result in something beautiful, that increases in its effectiveness and productivity:
Life and godliness.
Life: universally, life, i. e.
the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate, earthly life, while living on the earth - then - there is the progression of God’s true and real intention for life and the giving of life::
a new mode of life, dedicated to God, Romans 6:4
a promise looking to the present and the future life, 1 Timothy 4:8
of a life preserved in the midst of perils, with a suggestion of vigor, 2 Corinthians 4:10-12
Life emphatically!! As intended by God - AND THIS IS THE LIFE OF WHICH PETER SPEAKS - THAT WE HAVE AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN EVERYTHING WE NEED TO LIVE!
God - the Light and Life of mankind - of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both
real, genuine life is - then for us, now:
a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last forever - (the life the writers of the O. T. anticipated the conception of as they pointed to the Messiah and the Kingdom to come - a happy life (with God) and every kind of blessing: Deut 30:15, 19; Mali 2:5; Psalm 33:13; Pro 8:35; 12:28): Jo 6:51, 63; 14:6; Ro 7:10; 8:6, 10; 2 Co 2:16; Phil 2:16; (Col 3:4); 2Pe 1:3; 1 John 5:11, 16, 20)
Supplied by God
Obtained in fellowship with, or relationship with, or “the knowledge of” Jesus
the Spirit, the repository and imparter of life, which is received by those united to Chris
Godliness – practical religion
Mutual consideration. Are there times in our lives, when our own personal cares become so dominant in our lives, that we truly lose sight of the interests of another? The needs of another? The value of another?
Are there times in our lives, when we’re working so hard to prove our point, to preserve our rights or privileges, to make a statement that we believe is true or necessary, to get done what we need to get done, that we are blind to the needs of another? The concerns of another? The interest of another? Even to the point of refusing to act on their behalf, in servitude, in care and consideration, and meeting their specific needs in their time of acute need?
So, this a vigorous life, marked by practical religion and is best expressed by mutual concern for one another. (Isa 58:6-12; Gen 3:10,21; Matt 25:35-38; Mark 10:51; John 3:16; 5:19; 13:5; Rom 1:5; 6:17-18; 12:1; Eph 2:8-10; 1Pet 1:2; Acts 2:42-48; Ja 1:26-27; 2:16; 1Jo 3:17)
Jesus expresses this vigorous life, this fervent bubbling love, with real religion - love and concern expressed in practical help, the fruit of His love, His (mutual concern) for the bride and the groom, the hostess - His mother Mary and the parents of the couple. Not to mention, the participants in the party.
This is the life that Jesus came to give - as represented in John 2. For us to get this the life, Jesus laid down His life that He might give it - to have and live this life we must drink the wine of the Kingdom - which is Jesus, His blood.
John 2:1-12
The reflection of this life now in us, more than just animated, but a life vigorous in Christ, that reflects the kingdom AND its divine power, is how we live - now - especially, among ourselves, Jesus’ disciples - it is to be as concerned for one another as Jesus was and is for us, me.
Love is, this new and vigorous life, for which we have been given everything we need to live, is expressed by our mutual concern.
1Cor 11-12
