Who's Peter?

more and more frequently, i'm reminded of the all-encompassing nature of our salvation. yes, it is a gift by faith, alone, that we are saved. BUT, true faith is a seed that takes root, blooms, and produces fruit. it is God's grace that allows us to taste of a fruit we could never earn - that we don't deserve. nothing i have done, or can ever do, will cause me to be worthy of His grace which is salvation in His name.

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness 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 and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this 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, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, 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 if anyone does not have them, he is near-sighted and blind (ouch!), and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers (and sisters), be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

~2peter 1:1-11