Great Passage for a New Year

3His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

10Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-11 niv

I have been thinking about this passage for the last day or so.
Wondering exactly what it is speaking to me about my 2017 and maybe even yours?

It starts with encouragement...
You and I, if we have decided to follow Jesus with all that we have, well my friend, God promises that we will have everything that we will need!

God has made humanity promises.
He also makes them to us as individuals.
God keeps His promises. So may you hang onto that extra piece of encouragement? Whatever God has promised you - that is the promise that He will keep!

Now because of all fantastic 'God coolness', I get to play a part on seeing that because my reality.
Peter is telling us that while we live out of faith day by day knowing that we have everything we need to do so, we are then encouraged to add to our faith - not to simply sit back on our faith.
We rest yes from the work of salvation which Jesus took care of. But we need to take hold of our faith relationship with God and add to it.

I don't ever just rest on the previous year.
This a new year. A new time of opportunity. A new time of growth.
So I make every effort to build on what God has already given me.

As Peter points out, there is probably something we can add to faith walk right now to keep from being 'ineffective and unproductive'.

I love how it finishes with yet more promises.
By adding to the faith we have right in this moment we can make our election sure, our calling confirmed, keep our feet from stumbling and receive a warm welcome home.

Something to think about...