"Very Great Promises"

“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 1:4 ESV)

God has always proven faithfulin every promise, covenant, and truth. From Genesis 3:14's promise to crush the serpent’s head to Isaiah and the prophets’ foretelling of the coming Messiah, God's faithfulness guides us toward salvation and His promises remain true.

Peter emphasizes that through Jesus Christ's promise and His ministry, we are given His nature. His grace opens us to the gospel, faith, and His imputed righteousness, which reconnects us with God and secures our salvation.

We have escaped the world's corruption, although we still live in it. It surrounds us; it stimulates our sinful nature, offering the enemy's temptations. In the preceding verse, Peter tells us how God did this. “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.”  Christ gave those who believe everlasting life, eternal life.

It is only through the power of God that a sinful human heart can be changed from hardened stone to a heart of flesh. It is God who pursues the lost, not the lost who pursue God. This truth, exemplified in the parable of the one lost sheep, where the good shepherd actively seeks the single lost sheep, should comfort you. Jesus is that shepherd, always pursuing us with love and care. (Luke 15)

God called us to come to Christ. It is a spiritual call by the grace of God, one you cannot refuse. Christ told us this in John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” So, you see, it is God who pursues us. It is He who gives us the knowledge of Him, and in our salvation, we realize the depth of His love and mercy for His creation.

One of the greatest challenges for unbelievers is coming to the understanding that we cannot change ourselves. Many people live under the teachings of works righteousness and may believe they are “good enough” for God. This could not be further from the truth. Paul made it clear in 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 that the letter (law) kills: “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” If we could change our nature, Christ would have died for nothing. As we cannot change our nature, the rescue mission from heaven that Christ completed offers salvation to all that the Father has named.

Are you feeling the need to know more about Christ, what He did, and what it means for sinners? Then it may be that God is calling you now. Seek Christ, asking for salvation, in the repentance of your sins, you will find the love of Christ through whom all things are made new. (Revelation 21:5).

Should you need guidance with the scripture, reach out to us here at In Messiah. We can help you find the words of God in which Christ tells us of salvation through faith in Him alone.

Grace and Peace.