Peter is writing to those on equal standing. When you read Galatians, Paul talks about Peter and John as being pillars, as being “somebodies” in the church. Paul wasn’t impressed with their status, and here Peter calls all the saints of equal standing in the faith.

Why are we all equal? Because our righteousness is all from the same place, all from Jesus. We have godliness from one source, the divine power of Jesus.

By that power, we are granted all things that pertain to life and godliness. We have all we need through Jesus. You have all you need to live a godly life.

How did you receive it? Through the knowledge of Jesus, through knowing the precious and very great promises that enable us to take on His divine nature.

We need to know our salvation in Jesus. If you only believe you are forgiven of your sins, then you will never come into the fullness of your salvation of being free from sin. You have to know what Jesus has done for you.

We can live a godly life through knowledge of Jesus. His life in us is righteous and godly and united with the Father. Our old man is dead. By faith the new man is resurrected in us and that life has a divine nature.

Jesus is our escape from sinful desire. By faith we know our old life is dead. By faith we know that Jesus has overcome sin, self, and the world and that being born of Him we overcome too. Don’t forget that you are saved!

God works in partnership with us. He requires work, for our good. Lazy servants aren’t good for much of anything.

If we want to be effective and fruitful, we’re told what we need. Virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. This is all going to come from the Holy Spirit. And these instructions are coming from someone who was an eyewitness to the majesty of Jesus.