2 Peter 1:3-8
"His divine power has given us EVERYTHING WE NEED for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness."
His Word tells us we have everything we need for life. HIS DIVINE POWER is all we need, but it only comes "through our knowledge of Him". Notice it doesn't say "through our knowledge ABOUT Him", but "OF Him". All we need is to know Him, Jesus Christ. How do we know Him? Talk to Him. Spend time with Him, just as you get to know anyone.
"Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
PARTICIPATE!!! We get to "participate in the divine"! What a privilege it is to be His that we may have a part in His nature, as children belonging to Him.
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith...
goodness; and to goodness,
knowledge; and to knowledge,
self-control; and to self-control,
perseverence; and to perseverence,
godliness; and to godliness,
brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness,
LOVE."
Looking at this list is daunting. How can I possibly DO all of these things in hopes to increase my faith? I could look at this and say, "Ok, think positive! Start with baby steps and work your way up! You CAN do it!" These are the things I hear in my head because I live in a world where being the best means DOING the most. The effort we make is NOT to DO these things at all. He just told us we already had everything we need and that it's only through our knowledge of Him, that these things can exist in us. Faith is not how much you KNOW about Jesus, or how well you DO things like Him. It is simply BEING IN HIM, my Spirit covered by His Holy Spirit, His Word dwelling richly within me. "For I died, and my life is now hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3) My relationship with Him is the only thing I can seek to develop that will result in these qualities increasing in measure.
"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Lord, keep me from being ineffective and unproductive in this life. Remind me that spending time with You, in Your Word, is the only way that I will know you and grow up in You. Teach me to add to my faith all of these things, only by making every effort to be with You, and therefore becoming more like You. I give You all the glory. Thank you for being EVERYTHING I need.
"His divine power has given us EVERYTHING WE NEED for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness."
His Word tells us we have everything we need for life. HIS DIVINE POWER is all we need, but it only comes "through our knowledge of Him". Notice it doesn't say "through our knowledge ABOUT Him", but "OF Him". All we need is to know Him, Jesus Christ. How do we know Him? Talk to Him. Spend time with Him, just as you get to know anyone.
"Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
PARTICIPATE!!! We get to "participate in the divine"! What a privilege it is to be His that we may have a part in His nature, as children belonging to Him.
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith...
goodness; and to goodness,
knowledge; and to knowledge,
self-control; and to self-control,
perseverence; and to perseverence,
godliness; and to godliness,
brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness,
LOVE."
Looking at this list is daunting. How can I possibly DO all of these things in hopes to increase my faith? I could look at this and say, "Ok, think positive! Start with baby steps and work your way up! You CAN do it!" These are the things I hear in my head because I live in a world where being the best means DOING the most. The effort we make is NOT to DO these things at all. He just told us we already had everything we need and that it's only through our knowledge of Him, that these things can exist in us. Faith is not how much you KNOW about Jesus, or how well you DO things like Him. It is simply BEING IN HIM, my Spirit covered by His Holy Spirit, His Word dwelling richly within me. "For I died, and my life is now hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3) My relationship with Him is the only thing I can seek to develop that will result in these qualities increasing in measure.
"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Lord, keep me from being ineffective and unproductive in this life. Remind me that spending time with You, in Your Word, is the only way that I will know you and grow up in You. Teach me to add to my faith all of these things, only by making every effort to be with You, and therefore becoming more like You. I give You all the glory. Thank you for being EVERYTHING I need.
