Immediate Response

2 Peter 1:1-4

1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

Examine / Explain

This second letter from Peter starts with his position. A “slave” and messenger of his savior and messiah, Jesus. It is written to believers. To those who have accepted Jesus as the Messiah. In this introduction, Peter is letting these believers know that because they have placed their faith in Jesus, they have received everything they need to keep their faith. To live a life in the calling of His glory and excellence. There are no additional things needed for godliness. However, we are to spend time with God, to know Him and his ways. In that pursuit, we are to receive His promises and partake of His divine nature while still here on earth. We can escape sin because He has given us everything we need the moment we believe.

How do I apply this to my life?

How do I live my life? Am I drawing near to God? Do I see the promises of God being played out in my life? It doesn’t mean that they are not there if I don’t see them. It means I am blinded and inward-focused. How am I escaping sin? Do I actually take His escape route? Is it a lack of knowledge, or do I love sin more? I was given everything I will ever need to live this life to the calling I was called by. Does that mean I know how to use every tool in the tool belt the second I believed? No! Discipleship is needed! We have to walk alongside others to learn how to use all the tools we have. We are created as communal beings. We must have relationships with others, and through that relationship, we are to learn, teach, and minister. I may need to stop and reflect on how I’m doing in all this. How is my time with the Lord? Am I learning anything new about His nature? Can I discern His will and voice? Can I recognize His promises in my life? Am I actually partaking in His divine nature? Am I escaping the corruption of this world?

What is my response?

Father, what more do I need? You have literally given me everything I need. You have placed people in my life. Maybe I need to surrender and trust You more in those things and people that You have put in my life. Perhaps I need to be a better bondservant and do what you tell me to do. Is that a thing? To be better at being a slave to a master? Could it be because You are a gracious and merciful LORD? You are long-suffering and we take advantage of it. We avoid and do what we want because we don’t see Your immediate response to our disobedience. So, I should ask for assistance in immediate obedience as a bondservant. I need to lay my pride down and follow my savior in what is right. To do what is right no matter the cost because He gave up His life for me. Amen.