(God’s) 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. 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 of the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 2 v.3-4
All scripture is wonderful but there are still highlights among all that is wonderful, and these two verses, I venture to suggest, are one example. So rich are they that two or three reflections are called for so here is the first!
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.
Do we think like that? We have life but do we take it for granted? Do we link life with God’s divine power and acknowledge that without it we do not have life as it is meant to be?
In John’s Gospel chapter 10 and verse 10 we read these words of the Saviour
‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (NIV) abundantly (ESV) in all its fulness (KJV).
The pressures and demands of everyday life in the modern world are often not conducive to thinking about the eternal but unless we address this problem we will not live life to the full for that is only possible in Christ. This is very sadly demonstrated in the Harry and Megan drama which is being played out before a worldwide audience. David Robertson, until 2019 Minister of St. Peter’s Church in Dundee but now in Australia writes tellingly as follows, on his website www.theweeflea.com:
‘The interview in so many ways reflects the shallowness and confusion of celebrity culture which our society is dominated by. On subjects from climate change to covid, we need celebrities to tell us what to think, do and feel. And therein lies the rub: this was a Godless interview – there is no room (or felt need) for God in the lives of many of our rulers. And this interview was a good signpost on the road Western culture is headed down. It does not point to a good destination. Rather we need to turn!’
That says it all. We need to turn! As everything we need for life and godliness is given by God if we side-line him and leave him out of our lives they will become empty and dysfunctional as is demonstrated by so much of modern culture, celebrity or otherwise. If you are reading this it is an indication that you have not left him out of your life but the pressures of the world are very strong and we are constantly tempted to move from a God centred life to a world centred life because it is easier to live that way. Easier but very dangerous.
Be sure that you are drawing on the gifts God has given for a full and functional life and combine it with godliness which we will think about tomorrow.
Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Spirit, breathing from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so.
Oh, this full and perfect peace!
Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.
Heaven above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,
Flow’rs with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.
Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on the loving breast.
Oh, to lie forever here,
Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear,
I am His, and He is mine.
His forever, only His:
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heaven and earth may fade and flee,
Firstborn light in gloom decline;
But, while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.