神做了甚麼？我們該做甚麼？
彼得後書一章3至11節
3神的神能已將一切關乎生命和虔敬的事賜給我們，皆因我們認識那用自己榮耀和美德召我們的主。
4因此，他已將又寶貴、又極大的應許賜給我們，叫我們既脫離世上從情慾來的敗壞，就得與神的性情有分。
5正因這緣故，你們要分外地殷勤。有了信心，又要加上德行；有了德行，又要加上知識；
6有了知識，又要加上節制；有了節制，又要加上忍耐；有了忍耐，又要加上虔敬；
7有了虔敬，又要加上愛弟兄的心；有了愛弟兄的心，又要加上愛眾人的心。
8你們若充充足足地有這幾樣，就必使你們在認識我們的主耶穌基督上，不至於閒懶不結果子了。
9人若沒有這幾樣，就是眼瞎，只看見近處的，忘了他舊日的罪已經得了潔淨。
10所以弟兄們，應當更加殷勤，使你們所蒙的恩召和揀選堅定不移。你們若行這幾樣，就永不失腳。
11這樣，必叫你們豐豐富富地得以進入我們主救主耶穌基督永遠的國。
信息分享
彼得在這裡的第3節給我們一個重要的提醒：「神的神能已將一切關乎生命和虔敬的事賜給我們。」祂已把新生命和活出這生命的能力賜給我們；那麼，我們為何會經常軟弱跌倒呢？
神還將「又寶貴又極大的應許賜給了我們」。我們可能知道這些應許，可是，卻沒有常常祈求神使應許實現。彼得指出，神知道我們活在墮落的世界中，要經常面對從世界而來的各樣試探，於是，祂賜給我們這些應許的其中一個目的，就是要幫助我們勝過試探。
神既已做成這一切，我們還要做甚麼呢？彼得在第5至7節列出七項特質，是我們在基督裡成長過程中必須建立的。
彼得說：「有了信心，又要加上德行。」「德行」這個詞，可解作美善或優良的品格，甚或是不計代價而堅持正義。這是一種擇善而從的品格。
「知識」是人生的準備，為的是要幫助我們作出正確的抉擇。「節制」就是要有自律的思想和生活。堅韌或執著表示無論遇到甚麼，都堅決尋求並遵從神的旨意，即是面對試煉時的「忍耐」。
「敬虔」是承認神是我們生命的主，並讓神的話語光照我們的人生，凡事謹遵祂的話語而行。「敬虔」是人生的態度；而「愛心」則是敬虔生命的流露。
這七項特質是基督徒生命的成長標記。我們不妨檢視自己，看我們已擁有多少這樣的特質。要緊記，神已將我們每天為祂而活的一切所需都賜給我們，所以，我們今天要凡事信靠祂、感謝祂。
WHAT HAS GOD DONE? WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
2 Peter 1:3-11
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
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.
Message
In verse 3, Peter makes a challenging statement, “His desire power has given us everything we need for life and goodness…” (NIV) He has given us a new life and the power to live that life. So why do we so often fail?
God has also given us “great and precious promises”. We may know them but we do not always ask God to fulfill them. Peter said one of the purposes of these promises is to enable us to overcome the temptations which the unsaved, degenerate world puts in front of us continuously.
If God has done all this, what is there left for us to do? In verses 5-7 Peter lists seven qualities we must build into our lives in order to grow in Christ.
Peter says, “You have faith, then add courage or virtue.” The word can mean goodness or excellence or even to stand for the right, regardless of cost. It is life's determination.
Knowledge is life's preparation. It will help you make right decisions. Self-control will give a disciplined mind and life. Perseverance or steadfastness means whatever comes we will seek to do God's will. It is patience in the face of trial.
Godliness is recognizing God as our Lord and carefully living in the light of His Word. It is life's attitude. Love is life's overflow.
These seven qualities are the marks of a growing Christian life. Can we look at our own lives today to see how many are present? Remember God has given all we need to daily live for Him. Thank Him and trust Him today.