In life, each of us at some point has embraced a statement, position, choice, or resolution, and then later acted in a delayed, opposite, or contrasting manner. We swore that we would not touch those Oreo cookies in the pantry. (Ok, ok, at least eat no more than three ... at a time!). Or that we would wash the dishes right after dinner (Yes, yes ... how about by bedtime? Tomorrow?). Or that we would do a laundry load by the end of the week. (But 'The Walking Dead' zombie TV series is ending! Fine! At least by Sunday night. But after I visit those Oreos...).
So it's human nature to modify, change, delay, or outright discard some intentions, plans, or goals in which to suit life's conditions, or more commonly, our own desires.
But as this 2 Peter verse extols us, in our spiritual and Christian lives we must - without fail - strongly adhere to and firmly embrace these specified expectations: Goodness, Knowledge, Self-control, Endurance, Godliness, Mutual Affection, and above all, Love.
So not only during this holiday time, but indeed every day, let us all heed this directive to know, study, and actively demonstrate each of these Christian values, not for ourselves or for our own gain, but to benefit and give to our families, our communities, our fellow Americans, and in fact, the entire world.
