Thursday, November 27

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2014

Daniel 4:1–37

2 Peter 1:1–21

Psalm 119:97–112

Proverbs 28:17,18

 

 

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 

“For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance; godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” (2 Peter 1:3–9)

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!  May you rejoice in the blessings of God’s Word and His presence and the fellowship of your loved ones.

 

Today’s passage discusses the concept of progressive sanctification or, more simply, growth or maturation as a Christian.  From the moment of our receiving Christ into our lives through faith, we become part of God’s family, but each day thereafter represents an opportunity to mature more into the likeness of Christ.  This process involves the empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit and our willingness to be refined.

 

In his book Respectable Sins, author Jerry Bridges explains that, as believers, we typically should find contentment for the material and experiential situations in which we find ourselves.  This contentment speaks to our welcome acceptance of God’s sovereignty and goodness in our lives.  Discontentment with our life situations expresses doubt towards God’s purposes in our lives, which the Scriptures describe as intended for our transformation into Christlikeness.

 

Bridges notes, however, that we may rightly be discontented with our progress and growth in Christ.  Bridges terms this sentiment “holy discontentment,” reasoning that, if we became complacent with our growth, we will stagnate.  Athletic training follows the same principle.

 

Peter starts by noting that His “divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him.”  God has provided His “very great and precious promises,” which enable us to “participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”  Our transformation into Christlikeness therefore comes primarily through His provision.

 

In the second paragraph above, Peter turns to discussing how we play an active role in this transformation.  He explains that we should “make every effort” to pursue these great characteristics of a transformed believer.  He does not suggest that we may develop these characteristics through our own effort.  Rather, they emerge primarily through our participation in the divine nature through our knowledge of God.

 

Through his text, Peter indicates that these characteristics become more fully grown through time.  Each of the characteristics holds merit in its own right, but there appears to be a pattern for growth, heading towards love.  Speaking realistically, we cannot expect to develop one characteristic fully and then move on the next.  Instead, the sense here is of progressively growing in each, recognizing that our character development in one area will impact and strengthen our growth in another.

 

While God may use us as raw, unrefined newborns, He does desire our progressive growth in character to be used for His glory and fame.  A quick self-inventory helps us to recognize that we have many areas in which to “make every effort.”  Disappointment and crisis provide a great crucible for witnessing our character development.  I have a long, long way to go, but I am not alone in the journey.

 

 

Lord God, thank You for giving us Your very great and precious promises and for allowing us to participate in the divine nature.  Help us to grow in character this day and to more fully embrace Your work in our lives.  Help us not to be impediments towards Your purposes, but rather change our perspective towards Yours.  We love You and worship You.  You are our great Provider.  You alone deserve the glory.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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