Reflection on 2Pe 1:4
… by which have been given to us exceedingly great
and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers
of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is
in the world through lust.
Our life is short; in essence, it is only a time of testing, during which our eternity is decided. That eternity will be either happy or unhappy forever. An unhappy future – eternal ruin – awaits those who, in proud unbelief, reject the salvation in Jesus Christ. In Him, God has given us the greatest gift: that through Him we may receive a new nature! We must therefore put aside that nature which is infected by original sin and in which our human spirit is, as it were, clothed. Through this, our inner being has been darkened – our intellect struggles to recognize truth, our will tends toward evil, and our heart is filled with a perverted desire that unites with the spirit of the world, driving humanity toward temporal and eternal destruction. How can we escape this destruction? We must, through faith, accept the Saviour, Jesus Christ. Then the following applies to us: “To those who did accept Him He gave power to become children of God. They were born not of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (cf. Jn 1:12) Thus, by accepting Christ, we already now – though original sin still remains within us – receive the divine nature. To partake in the divine nature is not merely a promise; it is also a gift – a precious and exceedingly great gift. To share, even here on earth, in the divine nature, and – if we remain faithful until death – to possess that nature for all eternity, is truly a gift above all gifts. In comparison with it, all the treasures of this world are nothing but dust. However, as Scripture says, we carry this precious treasure in fragile vessels, so that no one may boast. These vessels are our corrupt human bodies, which draw us downward through desire, pride, and unbelief. The sin of unbelief is, in fact, turning one’s back on God, or literally rebelling against Him. This is the same stance the devil took, whose poisoned spiritual seed – called original sin – remains within us. It pulls us toward the place where the father of lies dwells, that is, toward eternal destruction. Therefore, we must deny ourselves, patiently accept the crossing of our will by God’s will, and follow Jesus along the safe path to eternal happiness.
Chapter 11 of the Letter to the Hebrews is about practical faith, and is intended to encourage us. Those who lived by faith and endured difficult trials did not waver, but continued to believe in God and His promises.
EXAMPLES OF FAITH
1. Hebrews 11 is a key chapter on faith. Read through all of this chapter, making note of the things accomplished by faith.
Which of the things accomplished by faith do you consider to be the most significant?
Why did you choose this?
THE PROMISES OF GOD
2. Think of a specific situation when someone promised you something.
a. How did you evaluate whether or not that person would keep his promise?
b. Did he keep it?
c. How does this affect your attitude toward his future promises?
3. God also makes certain promises to you. What does Scripture say about the words of God?
1Ki 8:56
Psa 89:34
Isa 55:11
2Pe 1:4
4. Why do you think God’s promises are trustworthy?
Faith always attaches itself to what God has said or promised. When an honourable man says anything, he also does it: on the back of the saying follows the doing. So also is it with God: when He would do anything, He says so first through His word.
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