As followers of Christ, there is an absoluteness to the hope we have in Christ Jesus and the eternal life that is ours through Him. John wrote these comforting words in 1st John 5:13, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” That said, there is still a “race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1) that needs our full attention, and with good reason. Satan is on the prowl (1st Peter 5:8). He is an opportunist, and he is looking for, you guessed it, opportunities to pull us back into his domain. It is for this very reason we are exhorted to “put on the whole armor of God” so we can “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:16). The One who has given us hope for eternity has also provided all we need to get home safely.
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
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….”
2nd Peter 1:2-3
Once again, we see our Lord as the great provider, only this time, He is offering all we need to finish the race, survive the battle, outrun the adversary. Peter wants his readers to realize the source with the words “His divine power.” Paul’s words quickly came to mind, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This word strengthens means to fill with power, make strong, to empower. All the things we may face in life: all the obstacles that seem too challenging and impossible are only so if we rely on ourselves. Jesus offers us everything we need to finish! What does He offer? All we need for life is the new life we now have in Christ Jesus. What he gives also includes all that we need for godliness; that is, what we need to be respectful towards God. When God invites us to “Be holy because I am holy” (1st Peter 1:16), He provides all we need to pursue that goal. When He encourages us to “be imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1), He has given us the One to mimic to do so. One person notes this important caveat, “He does not give life and godliness in maturity, but supplies us with the means of winning them for ourselves.” All the tools we need, He provides! All the protection we need, He gives! All the help we need, He provides! Where? Through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. The Great I AM, Lord of lords, King of kings, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, He who is glorious and holy has invited His children to be a part of something so much bigger than just life as we know it.
“…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.”
2nd Peter 1:4
God doesn’t want us to claim salvation merely. He wants us to rise above the darkness that surrounds us so often. Through Jesus, we can do it! The promise maker is a promise keeper. The ETRV says, “With these gifts, you can share in being like God.” Not be God, but be like Him. Partakers of the divine nature. The very One who made it possible for us to escape the corruption in this world promises to provide us with everything we need to be partakers of the divine nature. It is never a question of whether we can, but rather, whether we trust Him enough to provide us with what we need. With faith in place, transformation, although challenging at times, is a given. That is His promise.
Dennis
Biddeford Church of Christ 