Life

“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.”
II Peter 1:3

 This is one of my favorite verses. There is nothing we lack to have life, not just being alive as in “not dead.”  No, this means real life that goes beyond circumstances or income or position in your job or community. The word “life” here comes from the Greek word “zoe” and means, of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical.  This is real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ. 

 So Jesus Christ has given us absolutely everything we need to live a life that is full and godly.  Yes, even godly.  We have everything we need to grow more and more like Christ.  So what is the key to having this life?  Does it just happen because we have chosen to trust the redemptive work of the cross?

It is “through our knowledge of him.”  This isn’t about being able to quote scripture or being a very good person.  This is about really knowing him like your best friend, because he is your best friend.  You can’t get this abundant life on your own.  You live it by spending time with him, reading and studying the scriptures with him, walking with him, talking with him, listening to him, laughing and crying with him, and being silent with him.