By Not Known
One of the titles of our Lord Jesus Christ most familiar with us is that of “the
Author (Pioneer) and Finisher (Perfecter) of our faith” (Heb 12: 2). Peter (2
Pet 1:3) tells us how the Author and finisher’s “divine power has granted us
everything pertaining to life and godliness.”
This should remind us of two very important facts: First, it is God who
through true knowledge and calling to glory and excellence in Christ, has
“granted us everything pertaining to life and godliness. ” It is not us who
enable or have accomplished such gifting but God who initiates and gives
according to His divine power. It underlines God’s grace at work in us
through Christ who is indeed “the Author and Finisher of our faith”.
Second, God has equipped us with EVERYTHING needed to life and godliness.
We begin our Christian life fully-equipped, lacking nothing as God has
provided through His “great and precious promises”. That enables us not
only to “escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” but also
to “share in the divine nature” exemplified in Christ (2 Pet 1 :4). In short, we
receive and share God’s own nature through His promises.
We have to work that divine nature into our human nature by developing
godly character – goodness (moral excellence), knowledge, self-control,
perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness (towards fellow Christians) and
Love (2 Pet 1 :5-7).
We are not to be complacent but to do our part by “making every effort” to
build up one another in increasing measure what God has already given (2 Pet
1 :8). When these qualities become spontaneous expressions of our lives, we
would turn ineffectiveness into fruitfulness.
Indeed we CANNOT just do nothing. Peter warns us that there will be
consequences when we do so – not only will we be ineffective and
unproductive, we will also be afflicted with spiritual myopia and even blindness;
and may even forget God’s redeeming work in our lives. (2 Pet 8-9).
While it is all of God’s grace, there is a corresponding human cooperation.
Without which, grace could be abused and squandered. When the sinner
obeys Christ and works diligently on what God has graciously given, God
promises fruitfulness and a welcome into the Kingdom of,God (2 Pet 1 :10-11).
Where are you in developing godly character? Seek God to work through you
until you increase in Him, taking on more and more of God’s character. Your
life will become the simple life of a child growing more and more to be like
his father.