Knowledge, Peace, Power, and Transformation

Peter began his second letter with a lofty, prayerlike blessing for those who would hear these words: “[May] grace and peace . . . be multiplied to you in the . . . knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” This knowledge of God—this knowing Him, not just knowing about Him—gives us power to, day by day, live a godly life that honors Him.

Peter also wanted God’s people to know the peace only He can give, peace defined here as “that special sense of spiritual well-being.” And Peter didn’t want God’s people to have this knowledge of God or His peace in small doses! At the start of this letter, Peter made clear that He wanted these blessings “multiplied” and abundant.

Such multiplication of divine grace and peace happens as God blesses our knowledge of Him. In order to keep growing in our knowledge of our infinite and infinitely wonderful God, we would be wise to dwell in the secret place of the Most High rather than make only occasional visits there. Those who live in the sanctuary of faith rather than in its suburbs experience more fully God’s grace and peace.

Next, in verse 3, Peter revealed how we Christians can lead a vibrant and victorious spiritual life in this dark and lost world. We can only do so because, according to Peter, God has, by His power and grace, “bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness.”

Just as God’s power saves us in the first place, so His power energizes us to live holy lives from that point of salvation on. By His gospel plan and power, God saves us from the penalties of sin, which are eternal damnation, eternal death, and eternal separation from God. By knowing Him, continuing to know Him better, and walking in the power of His Spirit, we can find Him making us more like Jesus. In other words, the better we know Jesus, the more we become like Him.

Reflection

It’s easier to see another person’s progress in becoming more and more like Jesus. (The fancy word for that process is sanctification.) It’s harder to see our own. Why do you think that’s the case? Who can you ask who might give you a sense of how you are growing in your knowledge of God and/or how you are becoming more like Jesus? Grab coffee with that person.