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.

Not only do we fail to appreciate our relationship with Christ; we also fail to appropriate our resources in Christ.  The fact that we are in Christ produces within us blessings that are far greater than could be attained from any other source.  Prosperity and prestige in this world tend to be the blessings that pull at our heart strings.  God has far more valuable resources that should captivate the affections of our hearts.

THE POWER OF GOD: It is hard to overestimate the value of the power of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe being available to us.  The power of the Sovereign God infuses every believer with everything that we need for life and godliness.  His agenda for our lives is that we experience the glory of godliness.  We will never become gods.  The promise of the Gospel is that we will become godly.  We will be conformed perfectly to the image of Christ.  At present, we are being transformed by the power of the Spirit that allows for us to become more like Jesus day by day.  This is accomplished as we grow in our knowledge of Him.  This would certainly include our knowledge of the Word of God but goes beyond an intellectual understanding to personal relationship with and love for the Lord.  As we grow in our knowledge of and appreciation for the Lord Jesus Christ, we understand and experience His glory and excellence.  Christ has given us all we need to become like Him.

THE PROMISES OF GOD: Because of the glory of Christ, He is able to make and keep amazing promises.  The reason we are being conformed to the image of Christ is because we have become “partakers of the divine nature.”  Our fallen sinful nature continues to exist, but we are escaping from it and have been given a new nature.  The Spirit of God is dwelling in us.  He is convicting us of sin and empowering us to turn from sin and be victorious over the temptations we face.  The sinful desires that enslave the world can no longer control and defeat us as they once did.  God’s Spirit has allowed us to escape from the corrupt and fallen world as well as our own lusts.  These are not “pipe dreams” but are truths promised to us by our Sovereign Lord.

APPLICATION: Seek to grown in our knowledge of Christ through the study of His Word, communion with Him in prayer, and fellowship with other members of the body of Christ.  Be confident in as well as thankful for the power of God that fully qualifies and equips us to become like Christ.  Trust in His promises and depend on His Spirit to give us victory over sin and experience His nature living in and through us.

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