“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 

Scripture reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

There are many passages in Scripture that describe the believer’s privileged position. Privilege has become something of a dirty word in our day and age, but it shouldn’t be. We do not deserve God’s favour. But by His grace, because of Christ’s work, we possess “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3).

Peter describes this as “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” He tells us that we have been called to the “glory and excellence” of God, and that we have “His precious and very great promises.” He even says that we “become partakers of the divine nature”! As born-again ones, the image of God is restored in us in the full sense (Ephesians 4:24). We are being made more and more like the Lord Jesus (Romans 8:30). We are adopted children of God (Romans 6), and one day the Lord Jesus will take us home to the place He has prepared for us (John 14:2). This is astonishing! We should burst out in praise as we meditate on these realities.

Why this is so vital and important is all that follows in 2 Peter. Peter is about to describe the hard work of Christian living. We will/can only commit to this life if we know for certain that we already possess “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” And we do!

Suggestions for prayer

Thank the Lord for every spiritual blessing. Name each of them as you read them in passages like this. For, just as we ought to confess particular sins, particularly (Westminster Confession of Faith Ch. 15.5), so we should praise God for particular blessings, particularly.

Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.