“as 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” (2 Peter 1:3).
If we were to conduct a survey of our lives, what needs would that survey uncover? Perhaps those needs might include wisdom, finances, health, employment, reassurance, or guidance for our lives. But no matter how we choose to answer that hypothetical survey, 2 Peter 1:3 offers the comforting assurance that God’s divine power has supplied everything we need for life and godliness.
Other New Testament passages echo this theme as well. James 1:5-6 is perhaps the best-known among those passages…
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (NIV).
In addition, Romans 11:33 tells us that God is rich in wisdom and knowledge. Ephesians 2:4 says that God is rich in mercy. 1 Timothy 6:17 says that God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Philippians 4:19 also provides us with the following promise: “…God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (NIV).
God’s provision for us is endless, limitless, and inexhaustible. Thus, we have no need to seek a mystical teaching, “deeper truth,” or “higher plane of spirituality,” no matter how those beliefs come packaged.
From another perspective, this passage reminds us to exercise caution with those who promote the latest “spiritual revelation” or alleged “move of God.” Once again, our text from 2 Peter reminds us that “God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and for godliness…” (GW). The following author elaborates on this idea in a forthright manner…
“All the necessities both for handling life and for manifesting righteousness, or godliness – godlikeness – in this world are ours. That means that everyone who has genuinely come to Jesus Christ, without exception, has all that it takes to handle all that life can throw at him. Do you believe that? A lot of people do not; they are always looking for something more – some new experience, some different reaction, some further revelation, some outstanding feeling of some kind – and they think that without these things they can never be the kind of Christian they ought to be. But do you see how flatly Peter denies this?” (1)
(1) Excerpted with permission from 2 Peter: In the Face of Falsehood © 1968 by Ray Stedman Ministries. All rights reserved. Visit www.RayStedman.org for the complete library of Ray Stedman material. Please direct any questions to webmaster@RayStedman.org | https://www.raystedman.org/bible-overview/adventuring/2-peter-in-the-face-of-falsehood