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2 Peter 1:3 - Power For The Present.

2 Peter 1:3 (NIV) 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.

2 Peter 1:3 (NLT) By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

CONTEXT

Power for the present (1-11). When you trusted Christ, He gave you all that you need for life and godliness. All you have to do is to appropriate what you need from His resources. His Word feeds the divine nature within, and you can grow in knowledge and in grace. This is not automatic; you must be diligent to use the means of grace that God has provided. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]

INTRODUCTION

The power to lead a God-honoring life comes not from within us but from God. Because we don't have the resources within ourselves to truly follow God, he allows us to "share his divine nature" in order to keep us from sin and help us live for him. When we are born again, God, by his Spirit, empowers us with his own goodness [which then comes from within]. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

We Have Been Given All We Need
   It can be easy to say with our lips that "our salvation is by grace alone through faith alone." We can tell others how we believe that Jesus sanctifies us and transforms our lives by His power. But so often, we make the mistake of trying to function as if it all depends on us. We say, "God, thanks for saving me. Thanks for sanctifying me. But I'm good. I've got it from here. Thanks anyway, God. I can do this on my own."
   If we truly want to change to become more like Jesus, then we need to understand our constant dependency on the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ. The change we undergo is more about trusting and less about trying. We've got to make this paradigm shift in our minds. Christ is the real force for us to change.
   This is why we can go to Him for all joy. All value. All purpose. All hope. All comfort. All power to resist temptation. All power to change. He, and He alone, can supply all that we need.
   Dear Lord, I do not want to move without You. Each hour, every moment, keep me in step with You. [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio]

COMMENTARY

Ladder of Christian Progress (2 Peter 1:2-8).
   These words are full of instruction, and strike the keynote of victory. The apostle presents before the believers the ladder of Christian progress, every step of which represents advancement in the knowledge of God, and in the climbing of which there is to be no standstill...
   God has called His people to glory and virtue, and these will be manifest in the lives of all who are truly connected with Him... It is the glory of God to give His virtue to His children. He desires to see men and women reaching the highest standard; and when by faith they lay hold of the power of Christ, when they plead His unfailing promises, and claim them as their own, when with an importunity that will not be denied they seek for the power of the Holy Spirit, they will be made complete in Him.  {AA 530.2}
   Having received the faith of the gospel, the next work of the believer is to add to his character virtue, and thus cleanse the heart and prepare the mind for the reception of the knowledge of God. This knowledge is the foundation of all true education and of all true service. It is the only real safeguard against temptation; and it is this alone that can make one like God in character. Through the knowledge of God and of His Son Jesus Christ, are given to the believer "all things that pertain unto life and godliness." No good gift is withheld from him who sincerely desires to obtain the righteousness of God. {AA 530.3} [Remnant SB]

Growing Strong
   How can we develop a faith strong enough to see us throughout our lives? The key is this: God wants us to be spiritually strong and has provided us with every resource we need. We need God's strength to face life's challenges - and He wants to give it to us.
   Tragically, many Christians never discover this. They have committed their lives to Christ ... they may be active in their churches ... they pray and read their Bibles on occasion - but they remain spiritually immature and weak in the face of life's temptations and setbacks.
   We may be old in years, but if our faith is immature, we will be fearful and unprepared. But it doesn't need to be this way. Just as a baby needs food and exercise in order to grow, so we need the spiritual food and exercise God has provided for us. Without them our faith is weak, but with them spiritual strength increases, and we are better prepared for whatever life has in store for us.
   What are you doing now that will make you spiritually mature when you're older? [Peace for Each Day by Billy Graham]

Every Word of It
   Words are my stock in trade. I love working with them, fitting them together, listening to their rhythm, their inflections, and their texture. Words fascinate me and entertain me day after day.
   Mark Twain, the famous American writer and humorist, loved words too. Occasionally he attended the church services of Dr. Doane, who was later the bishop of Albany but at the time was rector of an Episcopal church in Hartford, Connecticut.
   One Sunday morning Mr. Twain said to Dr. Doane at the end of the service, "Dr. Doane, I enjoyed your service this morning very much. I welcomed it like an old friend. You will find it interesting to know that I have a book at home containing every word of it."
   "You have not," said Dr. Doane indignantly.
   "I have so," said Twain confidently.
   "Well, you send that book to me, then. I'd like to see it," said Doane.
   "I'll send it," promised Twain, shaking the rector's hand and heading for home. The following day he sent Dr. Doane an unabridged dictionary.
   There is another Book that contains every word that we need "for living a godly life." It gives us guidelines for happy living. And yet, so many people today do not believe that Book is sufficient for them. They try to supplement it with all kinds of other writings, teachings, and philosophies. As a result, because other teachings do not fully match God's Word, these people end up confused and frustrated.
   When you want the words of life, stick to the Word of God.
   I know that you, Lord, are the true Author of life and that your Book is the only one upon which I should base my life and my hope for life hereafter. Help me to share its message with everyone I can. Amen. [The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter by Mary Hollingsworth]

Everything Is Provided For Us In The Spiritual Realm
   No matter how much contempt the world has for those born into a silver- spoon existence, there's almost always a hint of jealousy behind it. We're envious of those who are sheltered from all harm, whose problems are always solved for them, who never need to give a second thought about whether they will have enough. While we stress and strain to make a living and navigate the treacherous waters of our lives, some people seem to breeze through their days with ease. We long for that level of provision.
   We have it. In the spiritual realm, everything is provided for us. We have been given "all things that pertain to life and godliness" by His divine power, as one translation puts this verse (NKJV). That doesn't mean we're spoiled children spiritually, but we do have the wealthiest Father in the universe. There is no shortage of any provision for those who are born of Him. His Presence within us gives us an abundance of spiritual power and authority, faith for both spiritual and material needs, all the fruits and many gifts of the Spirit, and much more. We may go through plenty of hard times, but we won't go through them without what we need. As we grow in Him, we tap into more and more of our Father's accounts.
   With that in mind, why worry? Why be jealous of those who seem to live a life of ease? Seriously, what situation could you find yourself in without having His abundant help? He is always there, always working within you, and always working through you. His supply is limitless, and what He provides is always more than enough.
   Jesus, exercise Your divine power within me. Teach me how to tap into Your limitless supply so that I'll never find myself lacking in anything You offer. [The One Year Experiencing God's Presence Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]

Use What You Have
   Have you ever been tired of waiting for something to happen, so you thought you would just make it happen on your own? God had promised Jacob that He would give him the birthright, and all Jacob had to do was wait for the promise to be fulfilled. Instead he took matters into his own hands.
   Sometimes we're asking God for something He has already given to us. Maybe you're having a hard time in your marriage, so you pray, "Lord, I need more love. I'm not feeling love for my spouse like I used to."
   You don't need to pray for more love because the Bible tells us, "the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5NKJV). Stop waiting for your emotions and start doing loving things.
   Often cited as the definitive chapter on love, 1 Corinthians 13 does not tell us what love is; it tells us what love does. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is longsuffering. Love doesn't remember the faults of others. It's what love does. So just do loving things.
   Sometimes we're praying for more power and strength, yet we're told in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (NKJV). And 2 Peter 1:3 says, "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (NKJV).
   It would be like saying you're broke when you have 0,000 in the bank. Why don't you go make a withdrawal? The money is there. You have it. So use it.
   As believers, our need isn't necessarily to receive something more, but to do something more with what we already have. [By Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]

ILLUSTRATION

   "Do you love me?" my friend Pam playfully asked her husband one night. After Henry answered yes, she wanted to know how much. Henry paused for a moment and responded with one word: "Enough." At first Pam was taken aback, but after thinking about it, she decided she liked that answer just fine.
   When Pam shared that conversation, I remembered how I felt taken aback when our pastor introduced a new sermon series called "The Adequate Life." Adequate? I thought. Who wants to settle for that? But as we dug into the book of Colossians, I understood the word choice. In a world of superlatives, we've lost our appreciation for the concept of enough. Our culture's distorted standards and marketing efforts can breed discontent with my possessions, my relationships, and myself. I'm constantly urged to chase after something better, newer, improved - something more.
   But Jesus gives me everything I need for a meaningful, godly life. The Bible promises that He will supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19). Even more, His grace is sufficient during times of pain and trouble (2 Corinthians 12:9). The entire book of Ephesians focuses on all the spiritual riches we have in Christ. In light of such generous provision and promises, our relationship with Jesus makes it easy to live out the truth of an old proverb I cross-stitched years ago: "Enough is as good as a feast." Dianne Neal Matthews
   Faith Step: Make a list of things you feel discontentment with. One by one, pray over each item. After you've prayed, cross it out and write "Jesus is enough." [Mornings With Jesus 2024 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

ONE LINER

Everything we need to become more like Christ, God has already given us. We do not need some new experience or fresh revelation to help us draw close to God; we simply have to appropriate what He's already given.  [Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley ]

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

   Live first and foremost in My Presence. Gradually you will become more aware of Me than of people and places around you. This awareness will not detract from your relationships with others. Instead, it will increase your ability to give love and encouragement to them. My Peace will permeate your words and demeanor. You will be active in the world, yet one step removed from it. You will not be easily shaken, because My enveloping Presence buffers the blow of problems.
   This is the path I have set before you. As you follow it wholeheartedly, you experience abundant Life and Peace. (Psa. 89:15, 16; 16:8; 2Pe. 1:2) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

2 Peter 1:2 - God's Kindness And Peace Can Be Yours.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2007/20070824-1014.html

2 Peter 1:4 - There Is Power In The Promises.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20131129-2022.html

2 Peter 3:18 - Growing Your Relationship With Jesus.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250208-1539.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/