3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)

The second letter of Peter to the Saints scattered abroad has the result of the gospel embedded in it and it serves as a reminder to the church what God has done for us and how we ought to use them for our godly living. It's upon these words that I want us to consider the blessing we have received as children of God when we came to know Him.

We have everything we need for godly living.

This is a truth that is confirmed by both Paul and Peter. Remember Paul's prefatory words in his letter to the Ephesians, he said thankfully "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places", (Ephesians 1:3, ESV). How blessed are the children of God. They have every blessing with them.

These blessings are heavenly and spiritual. Therefore it's main nourishment is in the inner man. It first works within the soul to transform it into the likeness of Christ. Here too in Peter's second epistle to the church we see similar thing. God has given to the church everything that it needs to live a godly life in the present world. This is why we don't have any excuse for not living in God's will.

These blessings that we use to live a godly life are found in God himself. Observe what he said "through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence". This sends me back to the words of God to his people "be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44, ESV). This holiness and godly living only comes by the knowledge of Him who alone is holy. Remember that apart from God there is no one who is holy. How can a man be holy without which he cannot see the Lord?

Everyone who wants to be holy like God must know Him. This word "know" has a more intimate meaning than it appears. It's a word that is used in several places of the Bible to express deep intimate relationship. Hence the Bible says that Joseph had not known Mary but found her to be with a child. To know God is to have a relationship with Him as Father and son. To know Him is to be born again into His divine family. To know Him is to have His Spirit that draws you to becoming like him more and more.

Also note that we have been called to know Him who is ever glorious and excellent. He is perfect and weighty. There is no imagination of the expanse of his glory. His kabod is immeasurable. He is the One who has called us to this godly living. Meaning that all that He has given us is perfect and reliable. All the graces and spiritual blessings He has given us are unfailing and holiness has now become a reality. Maybe before we came to know Him, we had thoughts of the impossibility of living the godly life but now because of the things he has given to us according to His glory and excellencies, we can do it through Christ who strengthens us.

Partakers of his Divine nature

Another spiritual blessing that we can't even conceive. That God has made us partakers in His divine nature. This does not mean we are gods. It does not mean we possess all His attributes perfectly. No. He SHARES His divine nature with us. He gives us some. And it's because of this grace that we can live a godly life. It's his nature within us that draws us to prayer, love, faith, goodness etc, For we know that these are the nature of God alone.

And this nature that we share with God gives us the power to stand against the corruption of this sinful world. We have the capacity to live by the Spirit and not by the flesh which once made us captives for Satan. There is freedom. The ability to choose right has been given to us once again since Adam lost it in the garden.

Let's employ these graces to serve the Lord. Let's live a godly life by killing the desires of the flesh by the power of the Holy Ghost for the glory of God.


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