“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4, NKJV)
Truth is what anchors the church, the “body of Christ” … that’s you and me! This passage of Scripture is an extraordinary revelation from the writing of the apostle Peter.
Yes, ‘words are vehicles of communication.’ There are words such as redemption, sacrifice, surrender, obedience, repentance, confession, faith, baptism, and a host of others … all these concepts have significant meaning to us as believers as they should.
However, there are other words that are just as meaningful that we tend to overlook and that’s where we need to be very careful and diligent. One of them is the word “all” which is accompanied by the term “things” which appears in a very strategic location in our reading. The inspired writer is telling us that God has provided “all things” meaning that nothing has been left off … left behind … or left out!
“All” means everything needed has been provided including the “atoning price” for our sins, the “precious blood of Jesus Christ” … yours and mine … that we could not satisfy. And the Lord through Peter’s epistle is assuring us that if we will hold on to these “great and precious promises” … we can do all that He is expecting us to do as His people with confidence!
Jesus didn’t do an incomplete job of redeeming us when He died on the cross. He didn’t take on the shame of the cross to leave you and me bound … He has made our salvation possible!
We are called to be living, breathing, walking, and speaking examples of His own glory and excellence, which will show those around us the completeness and the thoroughness of the work of Calvary. What an exalted privilege!
But the truth can be compromised. It was back in Peter’s Day, and it continues to be in the 21st Century! This is why the apostle Paul fought so hard to maintain the purity of the gospel message: (Galatians 1:6-9) … and it is why the Book of 2 Peter was penned.
Peter was helping these early Christians to see how to run the race of the Christian life well … and his inspired message has been preserved by God Almighty for our benefit and learning! Will we heed his inspired warnings?
Peter writes with a sense of urgency and intensity. It’s important to know why. What was happening was that false teachers were seeking to entice true disciples away from their Savior. Peter is desperate to ensure that the believers will not follow this dangerous path … just as there are those who feel compelled to ‘update’ … change … bring terminology and practices of the world into the hearts, lives, and worship of God’s people!
God forbid we allow it to happen on our watch! Peter wanted for these early Christians what he wants for each of us … the “rich welcome” that awaits those who choose to remain faithful to their Lord.
Values among God’s people are changing … there seems to be a relaxing of boundaries … becoming more and more like the world rather than helping the world to become more like God would have us live! (1 John 2:15-17) Are you listening?
If we as Christians truly come to trust in the promises the Lord has given us, we will see that they are an enormous help as we face the difficulties and temptations of this world.
God did not forget a single thing to help us in our journey through this life. Everything we need to live a godly life has been made available. For it is His promises that will help us to live a godly life.
His Book is truly “the lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” (Psalm 119:105) that leads us to a heavenly home! Thank you, Lord!
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!” (Psalm 119:1,2)
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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