God called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence (2 Peter 1:3). All our accomplishments in our lifetime pale when compared to what we gain when we completely submit our life to Christ (Philippians 3:8). He called us into His Kingdom to share in His glory, and He shields us by His power (2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Peter 1:5).
By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him as our only true and living Savior (John 17:3). Totally surrendering our desires and goals to Him each moment of every day allows us to live in His complete peace and joy (Ephesians 2:10).
In this world we have tribulation, but Christ always restores us and makes us stronger, more stable, and unfaltering in our faith in Him (John 16:33; 1 Peter 5:10). The more we read God’s Word and learn of Him and His ways, the more abundantly we experience His grace and peace (2 Peter 1:2). He encourages and comforts us as He urges us to live lives worthy of His name (1 Thessalonians 2:12; Psalm 23:3).
If we escape the corruption of this world through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and then allow the world and satanic forces to entangle us again and overcome our resolve to follow God, we are worse off than we were before we heard about Him (2 Peter 2:20). However, as God's Spirit daily increases Christ's character in us, we grow closer and more intimate with Him.
We bask in the comforting presence of the Trinity of God within us. We are more effective and productive in this life, and we share in Jesus’ inheritance in eternity as co-heirs and adopted children of God (Ephesians 1:5). Whatever we do in our lifetime – even if it is as simple as what we eat and drink – we do everything, as surrendered Saints, for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for delivering us from the corruption of this world by allowing us to personally know our Savior, Jesus Christ. Keep us from the entanglements in this world, which attempt to overcome us again (2 Peter 2:20). Lead us into the unity of the faith with Your family as we mature in our knowledge of and intimacy with the whole measure and fullness of Your Son (Ephesians 4:13, 6:16-19, Amplified Bible).
Thank You also for the great and precious promises that You give us. We are so grateful to You for sanctifying our soul, which enables us to share in Christ's divine nature and to escape the human desires which attract us to the corruption of this world (2 Peter 1:4). Thank You for confirming our calling and election in You and for keeping us from stumbling (Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Peter 1:5-10).
Thought for the Day:
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as our human standards often accuse Him of being, but He is patient with us and does not want anyone to perish in the torment of hell, but for all of us to come to Him in repentance; therefore, we want to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, and to live our life to give Him all the praise and glory forever.
- 2 Peter 3:9, 18; John 3:16-18
