More notes from 2Peter1

Peter is writing this letter to Christians who, though younger and less mature than himself, were not considered as inferior or as having a lesser faith than Peter and the other Apostles. He is writing to remind these Christians of things they have already been taught, and says he will continue reminding them of these super-important things as long as he lives.

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The letter is a reassurance that the things that the Apostles have taught them (i.e. the gospel) is true and that their faith in it is not in vain. So, how can you be assured of your salvation? According to 2Peter1:5f...

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

So, since we know that our natural state is spiritual death (Eph 2:5, Col 2:14, Rom 3:23, Rom 6:23) and we know that dead things do not spontaneously get better - rather they decay into greater corruption...
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Then we know that if we see this process of spiritual improvement working within us - if we are moving from simple faith toward love through improvement in these virtues - then we are no longer dead - something is effecting this change in us - we have been saved and are being sanctified (Rom 8:29-30).