2 Peter series ch.1:3-11

                                         Do you have Everything for Godly Living?

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As a walker, I have acquired understanding and preparation to begin the walk, and knowledge of the terrain and distance I will walk, and the need for strength and perseverance to finish. In our spiritual life with Jesus, He has given us everything we need to live godly lives, and to do the work he has called us too . He begins with the power source: the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at the text, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” v.3-5

First, through the Holy Spirit we know Jesus Christ. Peter knew Jesus personally and spiritually. From his being called from the fishing boat, Peter knew that this man was above normal: the miraculous catch of fish (Lk.5:1-11), the healing of his mother-in-law (Lk. 4:38-39), to the healing of the paralytic man dropped through his roof (Lk.5:17-26). Peter was the first, by the Holy Spirit, to know who Jesus really was (Matt.16:16), and at the galilean beach, he knew him as Master, Lord, and friend.  (Jn.21:7,12,15-17). On the day of Pentecost, Peter, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, preached Jesus to all who would listen and even to those who would not. (Acts 2) 

Second, Peter had everything he needed through the Holy Spirit for a godly life. Let’s look at what a godly life is. Peter in his first letter laid out what a godly life should be, “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-15  Peter, with examples through his own life and the life of Jesus, laid out what a godly life was, first, obedient. A godly person will obey the Word of God and put it into practice in every area of life and submit wholeheartedly to the Holy Spirit. Second, godly persons will not conform to evil desires of the flesh as when they were living in ignorance. Peter understood about ignorance and the fleshly nature from his own life and the lives of others around him. Third, a godly person will be transformed in their life by the Spirit. Peter, after being baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, was given the power to speak with boldness, the discernment for healing of lame man at the gate, the healing of all whose Peter’s shadow passed over, and the raising of Dorcas from the dead are but a few of the working of the Holy Spirit’s power through Peter.

Next, Peter understood the great and precious promises of Jesus. Peter remembered Jesus’ promise to those who forgive (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:20-22). Jesus’ promise to be with Peter even till the end.(Matt. 28:20), and Jesus’ promise to give them the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17). All these promises and many more were given to Peter and all who believe in Jesus, so that they can participate in the divine nature of the Holy Spirit. Peter emphasizes that only in living a godly life could a person escape the corruption of the sin-riddled world caused by evil desires. 

Application - As Fransis Chan wrote about godly living in the Forgotten God, “The world is not moved by love or actions that are of human creation. And the church is not empowered to live differently from any other gathering of people without the Holy Spirit. But when believers live in the power of the Spirit, the evidence in their lives is supernatural. The church cannot help but be different, and the world cannot help but notice.”

Jesus gave us his Spirit, we have everything to live godly lives, yet many have forgotten the Holy Spirit in the church. Paul said it this way, “because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. ... You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” Rom.8:2,9

We have been given the Holy Spirit to guide us in our godly lives, to live lives of obedience to His Word and surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s leading. As well Jesus gave us the same precious promises as He gave Peter, Paul, and all believers. It is not in our own abilities to live a godly life, no more that we can receive the promises of Christ without having him as Lord and Savior, nor can we run the race of faith. 

In these last days, we need the infilling of the Holy Spirit, the divine power. Jesus has given us everything we need through His Holy Spirit. Let’s not be like many who have forgotten Him, and try to live godly lives without the Holy Spirit’s power. “In the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. 2 Tim. 3:3-5

Next, Peter exhorts the church to equip themselves for godly living. Let’s look at the text, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.” 

Peter, like Paul, knew the work of sanctification of the Holy Spirit. Paul likened it to a race. “...I have finished the race, and kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7) Peter was in a race as well, he ran to the tomb, though he was second behind John to the tomb, he was the first one inside. (John 20:3-6)

Peter understood, we all start the race of faith and godly living by believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and confessing our sins, and Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension, and His return. It is in this race of faith we need to be equipped for godly living. The first sanctification tool in the race is goodness. Jesus taught Peter that only God is good, and only goodness can come from God the Holy Spirit. It is a fruit of righteous character and of God’s grace and mercy. 

The second sanctification tool to equip is the knowledge of God’s Word, will and purpose. Peter wanted all the churches to be equipped with the knowledge of the Father and the Son. It has its beginning in eternal life (Jn. 17:3), and this knowledge will be applied in every area of life in the race of living a godly life.

The third sanctification tool to equip is self-control. Peter understood what it was like to not use self-control, being, doing things quickly without thought. 

In order to live a godly life, every believer must use the tool, self-control. Without self-control, believers would give into fleshly emotions, especially in difficult situations and trials. Being equipped with self-control would keep them on track to finish the race of godly living. 

Fourth, the sanctification tool to equip is godliness for godly living. Godliness means remaining on course, the wisdom and conforming to the ways of holiness, and the moral compass of moving in the right direction are all a part of godliness and what they needed to finish the race. 

The fifth sanctification tool to equip in living a godly life is mutual affection. Peter knew that the church would need to be in harmony with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God and with each other. Being equipped with mutual affection keeps the church in affinity with God and one another. The empathy and sympathy of being part of the body of Christ is instrumental and active in a godly life of mutual affection.

The last sanctification tool to equip in godly living is love. Without being equipped with love, you cannot run the race of faith and live a godly life. Jesus commanded us to love, the Holy Spirit’s fruit is love, and if we don’t love, we are not living in the light (1 Jn. 4:7-13)(godly living). Peter had learned to use love as a tool in being equipped for godly living and to run in the race of faith.

Peter now consolidates the sanctification tools that equip the church, and tells us to use them increasingly in order to not be ineffective and unproductive in our godly living and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the race of faith, you cannot run being nearsighted or blind, you will run off course and forget that you were called to live a godly life and return to unclean living and your past sins.

Application - It is interesting in watching long distance races. There is a lot of preparation, knowledge, and mental fortitude in running the race. In the Christian life, many start with receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they hear the gun go off, and begin a godly life. Then something happens shortly into the race, they stop. They don’t go farther in the race. Many will assimilate the sinfulness of the evil world into their lives as well as trying to live godly lives believing this is okay. 

I remember a fellow in track at High School, who was running the longest race, the 10,000 meters. He began the race, but after 400 meters he stopped and took his shoes off and cast them away, then left the race. He was not content with his shoes and therefore wouldn’t complete the race.

I see too many believers in Jesus Christ who begin the race, but stop or quit shortly after starting. It seems they lack either the preparation, knowledge, or fortitude that comes through the Holy Spirit to finish the race. God has given us everything we need to live a godly life (equipped with spiritual tools). 

The preparation to begin the race is as Peter stated the Holy Spirit, the divine power is given to believers upon receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature” And God has given us his Word so that we can know his Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is living in us to equip us with the tools of the Holy Spirit: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love.

Last, Peter exhorts the church by living godly lives, their calling and election are confirmed. Let’s look at the closing verses, “So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” vv.10-11 NLT

Peter wants the church to work hard, not at salvation, that is only through Christ Jesus, but in living godly lives to confirm their calling and election. Peter understood calling, he answered that when Jesus said, “Come, follow me, I will make you a fisher of men.” And he knew that he was chosen or elected to be the ‘rock’ in which He would be instrumental in the founding of the church. Peter probably saw many fall away during his walk as the leader of the church. He will talk about some later in another lesson. He knew without the power of the Holy Spirit, the knowledge of the Word of God, and the sanctifying tools to equip the church, they would fall from the race of faith. But He knew that Jesus would move heaven and earth to equip the church. 

And for those who finished the race of faith, God would give a grand entrance, a fantastic finish line into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Application - I have only ran in two races in my life. The first race, I won first place, but I was also the only one in my age bracket. The second race, I finished and received a participation ribbon. I like the finish of the first one better. I still have the big purple ribbon in my life’s treasure chest. In the race of faith, working hard is part of our christian life. When we start our life in Christ, we need the power of the Holy Spirit to equip us for the calling to live a godly life, but it doesn’t stop at the beginning of the race, we have been given a calling, a task, gifted for service, so we also should work hard, with diligence, and with the strength and fortitude of the Holy Spirit to endure and persevere the trials, suffering, hardship that comes with finishing the race of faith. When we come to the finish line of life, oh what a reception at the entrance of the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ we will receive, a well done, a crown, a place with the others who have finished the race of faith.

During these last days, the Olympic athletes are a good example of preparation, knowledge, and strength and fortitude in competing for the prize. Our prize is not a pennant, a medallion, or trophy, it is our entrance into the kingdom of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. And if you have stopped somewhere in the race, don’t walk away, get back on the track, and complete it with the power of the Holy Spirit. He will equip you with everything you need to live a godly and victorious life.

If you would like more lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com I would appreciate any comments, may God bless you.

Until next week, 

In His Service, Mike Davis