Steadfast Day 2: 2 Peter 1:3-4

Read 2 Peter 1:3-4.

Ponder

After his brief introduction, Peter launched almost immediately into the main message of his letter. He had already explained that his goal was that his readers would grow in “the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,” and by his very next paragraph, he was delving into what that actually means. 

Like the original recipients of Peter’s letter, we are believers living in a world that does not understand or respect our beliefs and way of life. It’s not easy to live for the Lord in a culture whose values are the opposite of yours—and we need to know how to grow in “the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” just as much as those early Christians did. 

Thankfully, Peter reveals a couple of important truths in verses 3-4. Let’s take a look, phrase by phrase: 

• “His divine power”: In the original language, the grammar of verses 3-4 can be a little tough to translate, but scholars have attempted to smooth it out. Some, like the New Living Translation, even add a preposition to make clear that it is through God’s divine power that he has given believers everything they need to live a godly life. For those, like me, who are doers by nature, it’s a reminder that this isn’t a “pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps” kind of faith. The foundation of a godly life isn’t found in us, our own goodness or even our own desire to do what’s right. It’s found in God and his power. 
  

• “Everything required for life and godliness”: Scattered throughout Asia Minor, Peter’s original audience may have felt disconnected from other believers or that they didn’t have resources to grow in their faith, but Peter calmed those fears. As believers, God has given us everything we need to live godly lives. This was as true then as it is now. 
  

• “Through the knowledge of him who called us … ”: For those like me, who sometimes think we can just “do better” or reform ourselves into godliness, Peter’s reminder here is important. We have everything we need to live godly lives, but those resources come only through Christ. We can’t just be better or do better; we need the sinless Savior who is better—and we need to rest our efforts in him. 
  

• “Very great and precious promises”: Through the gospel—Jesus’ sinless life, sacrificial death and glorious resurrection—God has given us a number of precious promises, namely power over sin, the hope of eternal life with him, and the beautiful promise of Christ’s return. Our hope, then, is not in the things of this world, but in the hope of Christ through whom all things will be made new and we will finally experience the fullness of our salvation. 
  

• “So that through them, you may share in the divine nature”: Peter was not implying that believers are sinless or that we are equal with God, but rather arguing that because of what Christ has done—on the cross and in our lives—we do have the power not to sin. And one day, the sanctifying work that Christ has begun in our lives through the Spirit will be complete. 
  

• “Escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire”: Before we were Christians, we were powerless to sin. Our desires ruled our lives, and we simply followed them. But when we turn to Christ for salvation, those desires don’t get to run the show anymore. We can choose not to live in sin, thus escaping the corruption and evil desires that currently rule the world. 

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Journal

Meditate on verses 3-4 once more. Think through these questions and prompts: 

• Am I depending on my own strength, knowledge, ability or goodness to make me more like Christ or trusting God’s divine power to shape me more in his image? 

• How well do I know Jesus? How am I actively striving to grow in knowledge of God and Jesus? 

• It is Jesus’ glory and goodness, his righteousness, that make us acceptable before God. Journal or pray a prayer of response, praising Jesus’ goodness and thanking him for 

• living a sinless life that made your salvation possible. 

• Am I chasing after the things of God or the desires of the world? Why or why not? 

• Confess any “evil desires” you’re prone to give in to, asking the Holy Spirit to help you rest in Jesus and trust the resources he has given you to live a godly life.