What always amazes me when reading God’s Word is how much He packs into a few words. This reality should erase any doubt that man alone did not write these books and letters – especially for you writers and communicators out there. These two verses are a small example of the power and Truth of God’s Word. Let’s break it down into bite size pieces. 2Peter 1:3-4 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. “ His divine power …” · Who’s divine power? Jesus · What does divine mean? Pertaining to the true God, proceeding from God, partaking of the nature of God · Jesus is God? Yes, as much as critics like to say “The Bible never says Jesus is God”; verse 1 of this chapter is about as direct is you can get, “…our God and Savior Jesus Christ…” · Jesus received worship when both angels and apostles rebuked those that tried to worship them – Jesus never rebuked His worships because He was worthy of worship; God alone is worthy of worship “ His (Jesus’) divine power (the power of and from God) has granted to us ” · Who is the “us” here? Christians – those who, through faith, have been redeemed by the Blood of Christ and have been born-again · His divine power has granted us “something – what is it? “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,…” · What does "all" mean? The whole quantity, completely, entirely · What does "pertain" mean? Be appropriate, relate to, or applicable · Christians are given something, directly from God, by His power – that “something” is every possible “thing” needed that is related to, and applicable for living this life, and living it in a God honoring way! “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him..” · The “flow” of this power that allows us to live a God honoring life happens through the knowledge of Him · The more you learn of God’s character, His will, Jesus’ teaching, the Gospel; the more equipped you will be to live a God honoring life “…through the knowledge of Him who called us to(by) His own glory and excellence(virtue), by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promise,” · God calls us – included in this calling to His own glory and excellence, He has given Christians “something” else – what is it? His precious and very great promises · What are some of His precious and very great promises to the Christian? Forgiveness of sin, eternal life, His peace, a new heart with new desires, His indwelling Spirit, advocacy with the Father · What is the result of these promises? “…so that through them you may become partakers (one who has a part or share with others) of the divine nature…” · Christians have “escaped” something, what is it? “…having escaped the corruption that is in the world…” This “escaping” runs parallel to what Paul referred to in Colossians 1: Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His Beloved Son, · Why is there corruption in the world? · Why is the “domain of darkness” so powerful? · Satan is powerful, very powerful, but he wouldn’t have so much “sway” in this world if it weren’t for sinful desire “…having escaped the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” In short, the world is depraved and wicked because of our sinful desire, through faith in Christ you can escape the consequence of your wickedness and He will not only give you forgiveness and eternal life, He will also give you the means needed to live as He desires you to live.
