The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Peter 1:2-11, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;

3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”

Clearly, the Apostle Peter sets forth the qualities required in the believer’s life as well as the sound reasoning behind it all. Everything’s here! First, Peter notes the knowledge and power that the LORD has established, which enables us to live the abundant life. He labels these qualities as “magnificent promises” as coming from the “true knowledge” of the LORD Himself. We are not alone! We are not shown the standard of excellence only to be left stranded in a sea of eternal quandary! What the LORD has provided, the LORD has explained!

The question that lies before us is not one of surrealism: it’s whether we are paying attention! No sporting activity is ever successful unless the players play by the rules. Life itself requires this! Yet, in this “game” of life, there is no room for errors. That’s precisely why the LORD spells it all out clearly for those on His team!

Now, let’s review His rules! We are to employ and exercise “faith” and “moral excellence” and “knowledge” and “self-control” and “perseverance” and “godliness” and “brotherly kindness” and “love.” Eight simple items that guarantee abundance as we enter “into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” May we faithfully follow His instructions; and may He bless us as we pray for one another!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom