Think Like a Christian on Topics Not in the Bibleናሙና

Day 1: God Gives All We Need for Godliness

In his second letter, the opening lines of the Apostle Peter should be of enormous comfort for all Christians. He writes, “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Pet 1:3, CSB). 

Consider the details of this promise. 

First, note that it is God who is making the promise. The One who has all power at his disposal, the One who has life in and of himself, the One who dwells on high as the Sovereign Lord, and is committed to taking care of his people. It is God’s divine power that is at work in the Christian.

Second, the goal of God’s promise is that his people would have life and godliness. These are no small things. Jesus came that we might have abundant life  (John 10:10). His death and resurrection demonstrate the lengths to which the Lord is willing to go to give eternal life to his people (Romans 8:32). Growth in godliness is expressed through the ongoing sanctification of his people.  

Finally, consider the substance and commitment of the promise. God is promising to give “everything” required or necessary to achieve life and godliness. That Greek word translated “everything” literally means “everything.” (It’s a good translation.) Whatever “things” are necessary for the Christian to have life and grow in godliness, God has them at his disposal and he has already given them to his children.

Certainly, one of the things that God has given us is his Word. Indeed, Peter goes on to write, “By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire” (2 Peter 1:4). But God has given us far more than just his Word. Among the other things that God has given the Christian are the church, the Holy Spirit, and a conscience that ought to be growing in sanctification. We truly have a lot at our disposal. For those who struggle with sin or wonder what we are supposed to do when faced with a difficult ethical decision, we should never think that God has abandoned us or has not given us what is necessary to grow in Christlikeness. Instead, contemplate the many things that God has already given to us and seek wisdom in finding guidance in them.