THE EXCELLENCE OF HIS MIGHT

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV)

Sometimes a Christian will surprise me when it becomes evident that he or she has no true understanding of the great power of God. In the life of such Christians (if they are Christians at all), God is used primarily like a 911 call. Maybe they do not put it into words, but their attitudes reflect the belief that God doesn’t involve Himself in day to day life. Note, in the verse above, that by this power He has given us all we need concerning life and godliness. This is accomplished daily by His grace and the work of the Holy Spirit.

The knowledge of God is eternal life. (John 17:3 ESV) The Christian should desire, above everything else, to know God through Jesus Christ. If we glory in anything, let us glory in understanding and knowing God. (Jeremiah 9:23) He called us into His kingdom to become “partakers of the divine nature”.

THE IMPORTANCE OF READING YOUR BIBLE

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. (Proverbs 15:14 ESV)

It is very sad that most people, including Christians, never read their Bibles on a consistent basis. George Gallop once said, “Americans revere the Bible – but, by and large, they don’t read it.” I am also afraid that, of those who do read their Bibles, very few study it with the intention of becoming more like Christ. Should we not seek to grow in the knowledge of God?

Consider this: In a country where the Bible, Christian literature, and the publication of Biblical study-helps abound, we are becoming a nation of Bible illiterates. Can you name the four Gospels? Can you name six of the 12 disciples? Can you name five of the Ten Commandments? I really do not believe you have to be a Bible trivia expert to grow as a Christian, but I do believe that Bible illiteracy is fast becoming the norm in America. Perhaps, you too have heard people repeating verses or condemning something in the Bible which, in reality, are not even in the Scriptures. How many times have you heard someone say, “The Lord helps those who help themselves,” believing it to be a Bible verse?

God Knows Me

From the desk of J. I. Packer:

I am graven on the palms of His hands. I am never out of His mind. All my knowledge of Him depends on His sustained initiative in knowing me. I know Him, because He first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, One who loves me; and there is no moment when His eye is off me, or His attention distracted for me, and no moment, therefore, when His care falters.