How can we know that we have fully recognized the promises God has set before us?   Is there a way to detect whether we have been diverted or distracted from obtaining the things promised?  YES!

Those who are the most aware of the promises are the most aggressive in their efforts to lay hold of them.  For Example, those who are most excited about the promise Paul set before the Corinthians can be clearly identified by their response.  “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.”   Those who have fully laid hold of this promise diligently set out to meet the conditions set forth to obtain it.   Everyone truly conscious that God desires to be their personal Father is equally serious about continually purifying himself in order to experience the realization of the promise.  Those who are casual and careless about continual purification are the ones who are the least aware of the promise that is slipping away through their negligence.

Another example of this is found in II Peter where he sets “exceeding great and precious promises” before his readers.  What promises? – “that through God’s own glory and virtue” we can become “partakers of His divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world through lusts.” WOW!  We can partake of God’s own divine nature, His glory and virtue, and escape the corruption in the world.   Those most captivated by the thought of it, are the most careful in their response to it.  “FOR THIS REASON – GIVE ALL DILIGENCE to add to your faith….”

It is easy to identify the believer who is most aware of the promise of sharing in the divine nature and escaping the corruption in the world; just look for the one who is the most diligent about adding to his faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, godliness, perseverance, brotherly kindness and love.   The diligent response is the clearest indicator of how conscious we are of the promise Peter sets before us.

Careless consideration of the promise is evidenced by the casual indifference of the responder.  Those with the greatest anticipation of the promises of God will be recognized by the dedication of their diligence.

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”