“According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness through Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” 2 Peter 1:3 KJV
Everything we need… We can have a box of cake mix with the detailed instructions on the back. We can have the oil, eggs, and water within reach in our kitchen. We can have a bowl, a pan, a spoon, and a mixer readily available in our cabinet. But unless we follow the instructions and use these things, there will be no cake.
Peter details in his second epistle that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. He states, “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV). We have everything we need, but not by anything we have done or can do. It is given unto us by His power. Our salvation is because of His grace… only by His grace… we cannot earn it. We are saved by His grace through faith in Christ alone.
How does Peter say we access what we need for life and godliness? He says it is “…. through the knowledge of Him…” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV). And God has also given us everything we need to know Him. First, when we place our faith in Christ as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit dwells within us. Second, He has given us His word that not only gives us instructions and details His plan of redemption but also reveals His character to us. We can know Him by studying His word daily. Also, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have access to God. Paul writes in Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (KJV). We can go to Him in prayer anytime… anywhere. We know Him by spending time with Him in prayer. Furthermore, God reveals Himself to us through everything He has made. Romans 1:20 says, “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (KJV). We know Him through the magnificence of His creation.
In the opening example, we saw that we can have the package of mix with the instructions printed on the box, all the ingredients, and the tools. However, if we do not use these things, we will not be enjoying any cake. God has given us all we need for life and godliness. Through the knowledge of Him we can experience it.
May we spend time seeking to know Him every day so we can experience the life and godliness He desires for us.
