Called to Excellence!

Called to Excellence!

‭2 Peter 1:3 AMPC‬

[3] For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).

It bears repeating again that the audience defines the benefits. Before I lay claim to the benefits that are defined in the verse above, I need to sort out my identity. The verse before today's focus lays it out: 'to those who have received (obtained an equal privilege of) like precious faith with ourselves in and through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ'. The same quality of faith, the same focus on the grace of God, the same dependence on the work finished by Jesus on the cross. I do not see anything about human labour or efforts, circle of influence, political connections, self-sufficiency or earning power; just the reward of faith in an unseen God, which manifests in a life whose impact cannot be ignored. 

The benefits run through all of life. One can focus so much on the spiritual that you think the physical is not important. The verse above makes it clear that God is interested in both. He knows that the world will first be moved by what they see, before they come to seek that which is not seen. We walk by faith; the world wants to see signs first before it believes. My life must be one that attracts people to the evidence of the grace of God in my life. I also note that what I receive is bestowed on me. I could never earn, deserve or merit it by mere labour; it comes by reason of the finished work of Jesus. I must cease struggling, and simply accept the benefits and blessings that have been made available through faith.

This is why the natural man will struggle with accepting the Life that one cannot pay for.  I note also that the verse refers to ALL things. Nothing is left out; if God knows I need it, He will provide it. If He keeps it away from me, it is because He knows I do not need it now. My personal knowledge of God is critical here. I am not comparing myself to anyone, or seeking to walk in another person's shoes; I just focus on my walk with God, and trust Him to bring me to the place of His purpose and will. He has called me to glory and excellence, and my life must bear witness to that call. It then means that I have to personally sort out my identity: have I received and walking in the faith that can deliver these benefits into my hand? God's time of favour is here.