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).
He called
us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence (2 Peter 1:3). All
of our accomplishments in this life pale when compared to what we gain when we
surrender our life to Christ (Philippians 3:8).
God 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). He encourages and comforts us as He urges us to live lives
worthy of His name (1 Thessalonians 2:12; Psalm 23:3).
In this
world we have tribulation, but Christ always restores us and makes us stronger,
more stable and unfaltering (John 16:33; 1 Peter 5:10). The more we read His
Word and learn of Him and His ways, the more abundantly we experience His grace
and peace (2 Peter 1:2).
If we
escape the corruption of this world through an intimate relationship with Jesus
Christ, and then allow the world 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 increases Christ's character in us, we are more effective and
productive in this life. He confirms our calling and election and keeps us from
stumbling (Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Peter 1:5-10).
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).
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 3:18). Thank You for the
great and precious promises that You give us, which enable 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).
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, not wanting anyone to perish in the torment
of hell, but for all of us to come to Him in repentance. - 2 Peter 3:9
