There are a lot of distractions in the world today – some even appear to be good, but are often deceptive. The devil is deceptive and can make things look good, when they are not godly. It’s important to be in His Word so that we can discern the truth. “His 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.” (2 Peter 1:3)

Peter wants us to enjoy the certainty of our salvation. “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;” (2 Peter 2:10) He wants us to be so firmly established in God that we cannot be shaken by any temptation or false teaching. In 3:17 he draws his letter to a close with this admonition: “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,”. Peter devotes his last will and testament (1:14, 15) to help us be firm and stable and unshakable in our faith.

Peter helps us in chapter 1 by reminding us about God’s precious and very great promises. He assures us that if we trust firmly in these, God’s power will flow into us and enable us to “escape the corruption that is in the world because of passion” (v. 4), and to grow in godliness and self-control and love (vv. 6, 7). He reminds us that the source of these promises, the Scriptures, “did not come by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (v. 21). And not only that, but we have this prophetic word made even more sure by the eyewitness experience of Peter who saw Christ’s majesty on the mount of transfiguration (v. 16).The confirmation of God’s Word leads to confidence in His promises, which brings power for godliness, which gives us a personal, experiential confirmation of our call and election.

“His 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. Through 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. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For 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. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,” (2 Peter 1:3-10)