All Things

 

2 Peter 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, 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.”

If you are a Christian, and to me that connotes that you have entered into a personal relationship with God by putting your faith in the action of what Jesus did for you on the cross.  If that is where you find yourself, then, you should be encouraged and excited to look into the Scriptures, to gain spiritual knowledge that will promote understanding about who you have become in Christ.   Often, we are like a person on a full fare cruise ship and our fare covers all meals, even the mid-night chocolate buffet.   And yet with all that paid for, the person brings sardines and crackers and never leaves their room, not understanding that they had the run of the ship, they could sit at the captains table, it was fully paid for.  That example, is where many Christians find themselves, and often it comes from ignorance of the Scriptures, and yet for many of us it is just unbelief.

So if you have a belief problem as many of us do, and often the problem lies in a misunderstanding of Scripture.  We look at our thoughts and actions and have said in our hearts, no way can that pertain to me, he is referring to __________ and you know whose name goes into that blank.  So often I need to search and examine what is being said, who said it and to whom is it being addressed.  So let us return to the greeting in 2 Peter 1: and we understand he is speaking to all who have entered into Christ, so “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”  I get giddy when I by faith believe my Lord and my God has placed in my care all things that pertain to life and goodness, but it comes from knowledge of God, of His promises and His faithfulness to keep everyone He has made.  What often brings shame to my mind is how I can believe his promise of eternal life, but not believe that the other promises He made applied to me.

That is the battleground, until we act as if Jesus tells the truth, and walk in those truths, we will never experience this life God has promised.  So were you called?  You better have been and who was called, (John 3:16) states whosoever will believe in Jesus, they are the called.  Many a foolish man or group have come up with whom has been called, and whom has been chosen, but that is not our call, be wise an do as Jesus said, take the gospel to all people, and let it begin in your home with the ones in your circle of influence.  If you still have doubt on your calling look at 1 Corinthians 1:26-30, and 1 Timothy 1:9.  I hope you will study the rest of these verses, my prayer is that you will agree with the Holy Spirit that your God “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.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice