16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (New King James Version).
From John 3:16, we can see that Jesus came to give eternal life. Emmanuel, God with us became the Christ, the Lord and Savior, the Messiah, so that the present life (zoe) would also be more abundant
Jesus said of Himself:
John 10:10 ... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
From verse 17 we can see that this provision of God is salvation for the lost. And it can be further said:
12 “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
After the walk with God has begun, there is a transformation in the life of the Christian. The character of the believer begins to change through the work of the Holy Spirit. Peter mentions these qualities in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Paul also had his list of virtues that are attributes of God brought about by the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.(New King James Version)God imparts His character to the believer.
After mentioning that faith and other aspects of character should be added to the Christian walk, Peter gives the significant reasons for such "things." In the first of the four text in 2 Peter that speak of Jesus as Lord and Savior, Two conditional promises are mentioned: "you will never stumble" and you will enter "the everlasting kingdom."
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (New King James Version)
The second scripture with the phrase says that those that don't continue in that faith will be worse off than if they had never gained a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
2:20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
Peter was saying to keep your eyes on the word of God or keep your thoughts in line with it.
3:1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?
The Day of the Lord is a major theme in the Bible. Since believers have heard this theme repeatedly in both the Old and New Testaments as well as the comments of scoffers, Peter admonishes the church to steadfastness. By persevering, he also encourages to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior.
3:17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but .This is the will of God.
The purpose of this site is to declare God's plans, purposes, and pursuits. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil as well as to restore mankind to the image of God. This is done through the completed work of Jesus Christ when He is accepted as Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit and the scriptures contribute significantly in the transformation of the believer. Mankind, individually, needs to cooperate and be yielded to God for this transformation process to result in further practical sanctification and spiritual growth. It is clear from the state of morals in the United States that much is needed in this land for revival and restoration: in individuals, families, churches, local communities, regions, and the nation as a whole.
(This site in
the Web Ring is owned by Frank
Roy)
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