Christian Tract Outreach

“God’s divine power has granted us everything we need for life and godliness through knowing him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted us his precious and very great promises, that through these we may escape the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of his divine nature.”

Last week I was sharing what the Master has been speaking to me about his absolutely abundant supply of “everything we need for life and godliness through knowing him.” This time I would like to share what he has being saying to me about the rest of the verse.

Firstly, he has reminded me very forcibly that he has granted us “everything” so as to fulfill his purpose in our lives, not for to just make us feel better about ourselves, or more confident. Those things, i.e. feeling good in ourselves and having more confidence in his faithfulness to us through his Word, are, like so many other blessings, fringe benefits, additional treasures, which he so freely gives to those who show their love for him by obeying his twin commands of loving him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength (Matt 22:37), and by loving all the brethren in the same way he has loved us. (John 13:34-35) Never forgetting the simple truth of 1John 3:18 which tells us, “This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.”

Secondly, remembering that to make it possible for us to love in this way; “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through his Holy Spirit.” (Rom 5:5) though that verse is not talking primarily about his love for us, but rather about his ability to love, which is of course infinite, thereby making it possible for us to also obey his high command, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who abuse you, or spitefully use you.” (Luke 6:27-28)

It is fair to say that of ourselves we could not possibly fulfill such a high requirement. But as “everything we need for life and godliness” becomes more and more engrained and active in us, as we cooperate with his mighty grace and strength, then we can truly begin to fulfill his purpose in our lives, i.e. the fulfillment of the last part of 2Peter 1:3; we have been called to become partakers of “His own glory and excellence” (Rom 8:29, 2Thess 2:13-14)

This all comes about in our lives because of our simple faith in, and obedience to “his precious and very great promises,”, because it is only “through these we may escape the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of his divine nature.”

What a glorious truth for us to fully take hold of and treasure!