2 Peter 1:4-8
“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 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, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 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.”
2 Peter 1:4-8 NIV
God made us to be like him in character and compassion. We are called to participate in the divine nature and are assured that we will be made ready when Jesus comes again. Everything in our world is subject to corruption and decay, except us those of us whose lives are united with Jesus. For us, the promise Peter makes here is sure. Our response is to follow wholeheartedly. What privilege to know that through His divine power, God has given every believer in Christ Jesus our Lord, all we need that pertain to life and Godliness, and it is appropriated through a knowledge of Him. God has already equipped us with the power to live a victorious Christian life, to live our lives as He intended us to live in total dependence on Him. And His divine power is accessed through a knowledge of Him Who called us out of darkness into His marvellous light.
Some of the things that God's has given us which enable His divine power to be manifested in our lives are His great and precious promises the magnificent promises of God that are recorded in the Scriptures. Is this not what was meant by Christ when he said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself? In fact, He said that the whole law is summed up in these two. If one truly loves God and people, it is difficult to sin against God or people. We can only sin when we suspend our love for God and people. Verse 7 Peter is speaking of the impending “end of all things” he is giving instruction for the Church to stay focused on the coming of Christ. Though he has told them to be alert, sober, prayer, hospitable, generous and faithful in stewardship, it is love, above all that will keep them until the great day of the Lord when he will return to judge the earth. The love that Peter, and Jesus before him, had in mind was the agape that characterizes the love the Father has. It is selfless but also gets something in return because when it is given, it multiplies to the giver. It is not dependent on feelings. It can be given whether it is accepted or not. And when one loves another with the love of the Father, it is considered by God as love for the Father. Love is the greatest commandment. Faith and hope will not be necessary in our eternal glory in heaven, but love will remain forever because God is love. To love each other deeply is easily misunderstood as an emotion. Emotion can be a part of it, but this love is an action, even more, it is an attitude about life, God, and our fellow man. It is a deep and abiding state of being that gives the Christian perfect peace and aligned him or her with God himself, who is love. To believe in Him is to love Him. To love Him is to obey Him out of joy and peace. Praise God that by faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice, we have escaped the corruption that is in the world. Praise Him that He has granted us great and precious promises so that through believing His Word we may become partakers of His divine power, as we abide in Him and He in us. The value of a promise depends on what is promised, who made it and whether or not they will keep the promise. We all have been impacted by promises that have not been kept, but that is not so with God. He being God can keep all He promises and His integrity, His righteousness demands that He keep all His promises. Let’s search the Scriptures and claim all God’s precious promises to us. These promises are exceedingly great. After you lay hold of them, cherish them for they are His personal pledges to us. Then watch your interest and your fruitfulness grow!!!
Father thank You for this day and the breath of life found in Your Word. Lord open the windows of heaven and shine down Your abundant blessings upon my friend and family today. Lord thank You that by Your grace through faith we have become a partaker of Your divine nature. Lord thank You that when we first believed, we were positioned in You in heavenly places, having escaped the corruption of the world and being covered with Your righteousness. Lord thank You for the Word of truth and the many precious promises it contains for us and all believers. Lord may Your will for my life may be carried out to Your praise and glory. Lord use my friend to be salt and light to those in need of it today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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