To God be the glory…

 

Waking this morning with thoughts of Jesus born two thousand plus years ago, I wondered what He would say to me today. It is not a surprise that He gives instruction about living for Him until He comes, and then ending with the promises that He will return. I think of those who mock that promise. Don’t they know that thus far God has kept every promise He makes? He said His Messiah would come the first time and change lives — and He did.

Today I repeat His words and write “to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:1–2) Isn’t this what Christmas is all about? Jesus came so we could know God, experience His grace, be at peace with Him, and receive His righteousness — multiplied beyond our wildest dreams!

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3–4)

This Christmas I know more clearly what the gift of this Christ-child looks like unwrapped. He does in me all that is promised so that I can: 

Make every effort to supplement my faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are mine and are increasing, they keep me from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, be all the more diligent to confirm my calling and election, for if I practice these qualities I will never fall. (2 Peter 1:5–10, personalized)

I know that the Word of God is not written just by men, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20–21) I also know that false prophets also ar exist and bring in destructive lies that deny Christ. Even though this means judgment for them, many follow sensuality and the true way is blasphemed. Their greed exploits God’s people with false words, but thankfully, the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials. 

My part is to recognize how these false ideas can entangle and defile me, and be watching out for them and for those scoffers who exist. They follow their own sinful desires and mock the idea that Jesus will come again. They forget that what God has already done to judge the world with a flood and that He will judge it again with fire. He is not slow to fulfill this promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward all, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 

Jesus will return. At that time, the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:9–13)

PRAY: Jesus, these are hard thoughts on this day of celebrating Your first coming, but I’m thankful for all reminders to not be carried away with the error of lawless people and lose my stability and faith in You. Instead, You keep giving me the gift of grace and deeper knowledge of You, my Lord and Savior. To You be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.