Great Church 1

2 Peter 1:3-4
As the summer draws to a close we begin to anticipate a return to school and perhaps a new chapter in our work life. We may need to shrug off the laziness of the hotter months and begin to focus once again on our responsibilities. With this in mind we can examine ourselves and our faith life and perhaps see that we need to return to a more faithful dedication to God.

In his second letter to believers, the disciple Peter makes comment on the significance of our faith. What has God given us? What accompanies these gifts? How does it help us?

We can so easily become complacent with our connection to God. We begin to take life for granted with all the ups and downs that everyone experiences. We may get caught up in our own interests, or we may feel that we are “good enough” Christians that we need no more instruction or improvement. We become so comfortable in our faith that we fail to commit to it as we should.

But Peter, the man who was so dear to Christ and who followed him so closely, reminds us that God has given us incredible gifts. He has given us everything we need for life. And not just everything for life, but everything we need to live life to its spiritual fullness.

As Peter points out, God has called us through His goodness and glory, and in that call are the gifts of God to live a life of godliness. Knowing that God has called us, that He has embraced us in His love and glory, that He has called us to be His children, allows us and compels us to take part in the divinity of God.

These are heavy words, but what does all that mean?

God loves us and wants us to be in a deep relationship with Him. A comparison we can understand is that of a parent and children. Because God wants us to be in this familial relationship He gives us what we need – that is, He gives us that heartfelt prompt and desire to be good people. He wants us to be holy.

We may never be as holy as God, but we can participate in the divine nature of God. We can come close to God and we can become holier than we are now. When we embrace our call to faith, when we see that a connection to God is essential, it can save us from the pitfalls and failings of a sinful, human-centered life.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Set a spiritual goal for yourself. What must you do to believe that you are participating in God’s divine nature? Do you need to attend worship more often? Do you need to increase your charitable giving? Do you need to take part in work that benefits others?