students of jesus

I have no idea the full meaning of these words, but that doesn’t matter—I’m in:

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life 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, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. ~ 2 Peter 1:3-4

In two sentences Peter presents a magnificent invitation filled with brilliant hope and infinite destiny. When I first read this passage it flashed like lightning across my heart. I am still thunderstruck by these amazing words.

“His divine power . . .” Our everyday life in Christ is based upon his divine power, not our human strength. Where should we fix our attention—our lack, or his supply? The answer determines the possibilities of our life.

“has given us everything we need for life and godliness . . .” When was the last time anyone told you that you have everything you need? The beauties of life and godliness are within our reach, and have been ever since the resurrection. If “life and godliness” are your goals, no outside source can rob you of the power to succeed.

“through our knowledge of him . . .” This is a modern roadblock—our western mindset leads us to believe that knowledge of Jesus comes through mere study. His first followers knew better: the only true knowledge of God comes as we experience his presence. Apart from his presence we are only spiritual historians.

“his own glory and goodness . . . ” Who talks these days about “glory and goodness?” 21st century Americans have difficulty understanding the glory of God, yet this glory streams into creation moment by moment. Are we awake to this flow? And his goodness—we walk in that goodness everyday, most of us unaware of this never ending supply. He is good beyond all measure. Better yet: his glory and goodness are directed toward us!

“He has given us very great and precious promises . . .” We can find God’s general promises throughout the scripture, and by his Spirit he whispers promises personal and intimate into each human heart. Do we ever reflect upon these promises? Seriously: how many can we name? I’m afraid that, for most of us, God’s promises are like autumn leaves: beautiful, but not very useful.

“So that through them you may participate in the divine nature . . .” We can participate in God’s nature, right here, right now. Who knows the full meaning of this phrase? Not me! But whatever it means, it has to be good! In fact, it’s worth thinking about day after day: what does it mean to “participate in the divine nature?”

“and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires . . .”  Corruption is the legacy of a dying world, but we are a new creation. Many believers think the gospel is only about forgiveness, but the good news is even better, there’s a way out of the cycle of corruption.

There still remains one more phrase, and it is as challenging as the others are inspiring. It’s not enough to know. We must walk:

“For this very reason, make every effort . . .” Notice that effort comes after we encounter his divine power, his glory and goodness, and his precious promises. Too many disciples of Jesus (serious in their commitment to follow him) believe their effort comes first. Instead our effort is a response to all he has done: a joyful, grateful, confident recognition of his kindness toward us. We cannot live up to the list in verses 5-7 apart from his divine power, his glory and goodness, and his precious promises.

The eager novice might attempt to fulfill the chain of godly virtues by human effort alone, and will most certainly stumble and fall. We can forgive the novice for his or her clumsy attempts, but only a fool would walk away from the bright promise of a fully equipped life with God.