(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
Over the past two days we have been challenged to live godly lives to the full and today we see that both (life and godliness) are gifts and come through our knowledge of God. But there is something more in that he has called us by his own glory and goodness.
As human beings we carry a certain glory for we are made in his image and although that image is marred in us by sin, Psalm 8 tells us that we are made a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honour.
It is good for us to reflect on this in a world were human beings are often diminished and dehumanised and where yet they can be very full of their own importance. We must not fall into either trap but remember that all that we have and are comes from God our maker, and it is knowledge of him that alone transforms us into what he has designed us to be.
Pause and reflect today on the incredible blessings you have as a believer. You have been called by God’s own glory and goodness! How does that impact you? I believe that here is a real danger that we take it for granted. At some moment in the past you became a Christian and you were as Peter writes in 1 Peter 1 v.8 filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. Is that how you feel this morning or are you more like the hearers of the word that Jesus describes in the Parable of the Sower.
The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the one who hears the word and at once received it with joy. But since they have no root they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word they quickly fall away. The one who received the seed that fell mong thorns is the one how hears the word but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it making it unfruitful. Matthew 13 vs. 20-22
Very simply the cause of this ‘falling away’ is failure to dig deep into the knowledge of God. I am not suggesting that this is a description of you the reader this morning although it might be. Rather I am suggesting that each one of us should daily be seeking to know God better, should be hungering for his word, and growing in him because when we do then we will live fuller lives and grow in godliness.
What a wonderful prospect! If you know this is where you stand today, thank God for that and resolve to keep on growing in him and you will continue to be filled with that inexpressible joy. If, however, your Christian life and walk have lost some of that joy, then here is the antidote – resolve to know him better! Ask for his help in this, ask him to reveal more of himself to you through his word.
Tomorrow we will think of the great and precious promises Peter speaks of, but let me close with just one of them which states so powerfully that the antidote is effective.
Everyone who asks receives. Matthew 7 v.8