So that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature… 
2 Peter 1:4

Paul says in Galatians 5:6: “the only thing that counts for anything is faith expressing itself through love.” He has Peter’s hearty “amen.” 2 Peter 1:3-12 is all about this movement, from faith to love. God’s many gifts in Jesus become real to us as we go on this journey in the Spirit, supplementing our faith so that it becomes love.

2 Peter 1:6 Let’s return to the list of faith-“supplements”: make every effort to supplement your faith with…and knowledge with self-control.

In the middle of the storm, Jesus calls Peter. Peter heads out. Good for Peter! But then, Peter starts to sink. Why does Peter sink? Why do we sink?

Have you ever cried out, “God! Why don’t I have spiritual power and insight? When will I be spiritually mature? Why am I still struggling with [xyz]? Why can’t I seem to do [zyx]?”

Key Question: Why did God create us? What do we exist for?

So, you’ve just prayerfully applied your attention to “virtuous living” as we’ve described it before. That is, making decisions because we’re children of God by grace, and so that we might affect the people around us with God’s grace.

“Make every effort…” “You have all you need…” So begins our disciple-journey with 2 Peter 1. Let’s look now at these spiritual fruits in Peter’s list. 

We have been reminded that God has given us everything we need to live well. What we have in Jesus is more than enough. We are now ready to make every effort to… do what?

In Jesus, God has given us everything we need to live well.

What did Jesus mean, “make disciples”? Did He have something in mind? Of course He did.

The magi brought Him gifts…
The “sinner” bathed His feet in tears and treasure…
The apostles rejoiced to suffer for His sake…
The heavenly host never ceases night and day to shout His praise…

What is “glory”? It’s connected to luminosity, to light: the sun’s brilliance is glorious. It’s an essential attribute of God: God is glorious. And it’s something we give God: give Him glory! All three of these uses appear in Revelation.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

Jesus deserves our wisdom, just as He deserves our power—our influence and authority—and our wealth—our possessions and capabilities.

Jesus deserves “wealth.” What does this mean?
The only other place this word is used in Revelation is in 18:17, "...in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.

You might notice in the list of things Jesus deserves that there is another word related to this: “might.” It’s helpful to have these both so that we can contrast them and be sure to give Jesus His due.

What does Jesus deserve? In a word, “everything.” But just so we’re clear, the angels in Revelation 5 shout in unison seven desirable things that everyone possesses, all of which Jesus deserves to receive.

We think we have to be perfect. After all, how is it that I—little ol’ me—could really be a conduit for God’s love? A blessing to people?

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. -Matthew 5:48