Faith (1): Peter opens his second letter to the Gentile believers in Asia Minor with the affirmation that their faith is a gift from God. Faith does not originate from within ourselves; it is granted to us by God.[1] Moreover, the faith which God gives is efficacious unto salvation. Even as the Lord promised Peter that his faith will not fail (Luke 22:32), so the faith of all who truly belong to Christ will not fail. God gives no half-baked gifts. His gift of faith perseveres to the end because God by His power preserves the believer until salvation is done.[2] True faith does not crash and burn; it is robust and resilient.[3]

Provision (2-4): If God has given faith to His people, would He also provide for their sanctification? He most certainly does! Peter assures us: God has given us “everything pertaining to life and godliness.” All that’s left for us to do is to apply diligence (1:5) to God’s rich supply. For the infantry that has the full provision of supplies, arms, and air support, their only responsibility is to utilize what they have and fight. We possess in the true knowledge of God through Christ all the resources that we need for godly living. We are to leverage what God’s given to diligently pursue His holy likeness. Jesus has pictured this provision as the supply of the vine (John 15:1-8), Paul saw it as the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18), Peter here simply calls it “His divine power” and “the true knowledge of Him.” For those who truly know the Father through His Son, our tanks are full. We have the resources to live godly lives.

[1] Cf. John 6:44, 65; Acts 13:48; 16:14; Phil. 1:29.

[2] Cf. 1 Pet. 1:5-9; John 6:39-40; 10:26-28; 18:9; Jude 24.

[3] This does not mean that we should test God and flirt with sin and worldliness. All who truly believe crucify the old self and pursue the new life in holiness (Rom. 6:4, 6; Gal. 2:20; 5:24). This is because all who receive faith also receive regeneration unto new life (1 Pet. 1:22-23). God’s gift of salvation lacks no parts.