Today’s Reading: Isaiah 50; Isaiah 51; Isaiah 52; Psalm 92; 2 Peter 1
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-5
3 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. 4 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.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge...
Observation: God has given us "everything we need for life and godliness". End of story, right? Not exactly. We may have what we need, but it's kind of like a kit! That is, some assembly required! We have to actually participate in the process. The really cool thing is that we're not participating in some lame science experiment. Nope. We get to "participate in the divine nature." That means we get to take part with God in who He is and how He operates. Very cool.
Application: It's up to us to engage our being in the process of becoming more like God by actually participating in the very nature of God. His "great and precious promises" are kind of a combination of a guarantee and instructions in how it's supposed to work. So don't just sit back and contemplate God. Activate your body, soul, and spirit in the process. In verse 5, we are further encouraged to "make every effort" -- that means we should really get into it. Give it all we've got and we will grow. (That's what the word "add" means.) Let's go for it!
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You supply everything we need. We just have to participate to make it happen. May we be fully engaged in this process of growing through the partnership with Your divine nature. Lord, help us to see how fantastic this is and to make this process what we are all about.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
1 comment:
I thought it was interesting that Peter says we participate in the divine nature through the great and precious promises. When I first read this I thought it strange that a promise (something that hasn't happened yet but is coming in the future) should help us attain anything. But if we believe the one who gives the promise, then we start acting NOW as if we have it. We behave in accordance with the promise given. So, if God's promises are that we will be made perfect as He is perfect, that our sins are forgiven and we are clean and holy, that we will inherit His kingdom and be with Him forever, we will start living up to those words. Then it makes sense that these promises are the means to participating in the divine nature.
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