The Transforming Power of the Gospel, 2 Peter 1:1-4 "A Faith of Equal Standing"

Today we are beginning g a new study through Second Peter. The theme for this series is the transforming power of the Gospel. This is a short letter. Chapter 1 deals with the Christian’s godly lifestyle, Chapter 2 confronts false teachers that seek to pervert the Gospel, and Chapter 3 reminds Christians that our Savior will return.
As we investigate the power of the Gospel to transform lives, it is good to reaffirm that God calls all to “come as you are,” but He won’t allow you to “leave as you were.”
Peter, Paul, and the other disciples are great examples of God changing their lives.
Paul, and James seem to say that if your faith doesn’t change you, it’s not saving faith at all (James 2)
The Bible uses different words for Salvation—Justification, Redemption, Restoration, Adoption… These are things God does, we can’t work for or earn a relationship with Him.
God does call for effort on our part, but not for salvation, rather for growth.
The unsaved are spiritually dead, they can’t grow. No amount of good works will resuscitate the lost. They must come to Christ by faith alone. We will continue to call the lost to repentance and salvation through faith in Jesus.
2 Peter is all about Christians living holy (godly) lives. But Peter starts out telling us what God has given us in salvation.
Today we will look at three gifts from God that come with our salvation.