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A Reminder...Before Peter Departs - 2 Peter 1:11-15

2 Peter 1:10b-15
"For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things
This verse needs to be understood with care. If one isn't careful, a conclusion could be drawn that would be in opposition to the truth that the verse is proclaiming. Verse 11 is key, but I included the end of verse 10 so that the entire thought could be seen. The reason this is so critical to understand is because what we see here in verse 10-11 is what, at first glance, looks like a test for true salvation.
"For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It looks cut and dry. "If you do these things...you will (be) welcome(d) into the...kingdom.

What things?
moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. (vs. 5-7)

However, We cannot attain salvation by living up to these qualities. The reason for this, is that if we could, then salvation would be determined by a persons behavior ( or WORKS). We know this is not the basis of salvation because of VERY clear scriptures that teach us otherwise...
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
What does it mean then?

Remember that Peter is already talking to Christians! So, Peter is reminding them (and Christians today) that salvation is evidenced by these good works and that these good works produce confidence in one's salvation. More than that, in previous statements by Peter, we see that good works (or deeds) can be used by God to bring "Gentiles" to a place where they can "Glorify God" when Christ comes back. This can only be if they are already Christians on that day! So, another reminder that our deeds can be used by God to drawn unbelievers to Himself.
1 Peter 2:12
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that ... they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

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