GOD’S EXTRAVAGANT GRACE
II Peter 1:3-4
The word extravagant is defined as “lacking restraint in spending or giving money or extending resources” Another definition is “exceeding what is reasonable or appropriate”.
The grace of our Heavenly Father is exceedingly great, to the point that it may be described as extravagant. In fact, there are no words that even come close to describing God’s grace. Though words fail to articulate just how gracious our Lord is, through His Word we have many wonderful examples that help to paint a picture of how good God is to His children.
Anyone who knows me, knows that one of my favorite Old Testament passages is the story of David and Mephibosheth, that is recorded in II Samuel Chapter 9. There we are told of a time after David ascended the throne in Israel when he set out to show unusual kindness to a member of the house of Saul. This was prompted by a promise that David had made to his best friend, Saul’s son, Jonathan. David learned that Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was crippled as a young boy and dwelt in a land called Lodebar.
David sent his servants to retrieve Mephibosheth and bring him to the King’s palace. In those days, it was common for kings to kill all of the relatives of their predecessor in an effort to prevent any sort of uprising or rebellion against the reigning king. For this reason, Mephibosheth was likely terrified when David’s servants came looking for him. When he entered into the presence of King David, he fell on his face in reverence. Certainly Mephibosheth was expecting judgment and perhaps death. However, what he received was mercy, grace, love, and adoption. Instead of imprisoning or executing him, David restored to him his family’s land and commanded his servants to work the fields and bring in the harvest. Furthermore, David invited Mephibosheth to come and live as if he were a natural born son of the king. He declared that Mephibosheth would be cared for and eat at his own table.
The reason that this is one of my favorite biblical narratives is because it so greatly illustrates what God has done for us. He has shown us mercy even though we are so unworthy. He has extended grace to us when what we deserved was judgment and condemnation. He sent His only Son to suffer and die on our behalf. Jesus came to our own “Lodebar” and brought us into the presence of God Himself. We have been adopted into the eternal family of God, we are joint heirs with Jesus, and we are assured that this relationship will last forever.
- King David knew first hand of the extravagant mercy and grace of God. He declared in Psalms 103:11-13:
For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
In the first few verses of Peter’s second epistle, he speaks of the amazing things that we have received as a result of God’s grace. I would like to examine some of these marvelous benefits and consider “God’s Extravagant Grace”.
- Beginning in verse 3, Peter describes some of the provisions that we have received from our Lord. Let’s look to the text and examine:
THE PROVISIONS WE HAVE RECEIVED AS A RESULT OF GOD’S EXTRAVAGANT GRACE
(God’s) “divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness”
When reading God’s Word it doesn’t take long to be reminded of the many great things that the Lord has provided for His children.
As parents there are many things that our children want and we would love to give these things to them, however there are times when we simply do not have the resources to do so. But we will move heaven and earth to provide them with the things that they need. On the other hand, there are times when we do have the ability to provide our children with the things that they want, yet we refuse to do so because we know that it is better if they do not have such things.
This is true for our Heavenly Father as well. There may be things that we want, but He knows that they are not what we need. Often God may withhold something that we ask for in order to protect us. But without fail He provides us with what we need. It is important to remember that everything we have comes as a result of God’s divine power and provision. He is Jehovah Jireh, He is our provider, and He has provided us with far more than we could ever ask for.
- The most important things that He could (and has) provided us with are those things that are spiritual and pertain to eternity. Peter speaks to this reality here in verse 3.
“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”
God's resources are limitless; therefore He has the ability to provide us with everything that we need physically, materially, and spiritually. Our Father created everything, and He controls and sustains it all. As a true loving Father it is His good pleasure to provide us with all that we need. Moreover, He knows exactly what it is that we need, what we can handle, what is best for us and ultimately what will bring Him glory.
Verse 3 tells us that God is able to provide us with something far more beneficial than any physical, material, or financial blessing. He is able to provide us with what we need to live a holy life, and this is something that has eternal implications. In 1 Peter 1:16, Peter quotes God’s command to “be holy, for I am holy”. It should be the desire of every Christian to live a holy life. It should be our aim to grow and mature spiritually. We should seek to walk in fellowship with Jesus daily, to be led by the Holy Spirit and to bring honor and glory to our Heavenly Father. All of these things are possible, and God has provided us with everything necessary for these attributes to be a reality in our lives. We have received all that is needed to live a holy life through Jesus Christ.
- Not only have we received great provisions as a result of God’s extravagant grace, the following verses show us that we have received great promises from Him as well. Notice:
THE PROMISES WE RECEIVE AS A RESULT OF GOD’S EXTRAVAGANT GRACE
“He has granted to us his precious and very great promises”
It is estimated that there are over 7,000 promises found in the Bible. Peter describes certain promises as being "great and precious". These promises are so great and precious because of the One who made them. A promise is only as good as the person who makes it. I can make you a promise with every intention of fulfilling it, but certain circumstances may arise, and I may let you down. But when God makes a promise it is unbreakable.
Hebrews 6:18 tells us that it is impossible for God to lie. I may make you a promise and then come to realize that I do not have the power or ability to fulfill it. But God is all powerful and He will never fail to fulfill anything that He has promised to His children.
There is not much that we can count on with full assurance in this world. People will betray you intentionally and fail you unintentionally. Promises are made and promises are broken, but we can trust that the promises of God will never fail. The promises that we have received from Him are a direct result of His extravagant grace.
- We receive provision and promises from our Father in Heaven, and verse 4 goes on to show us that we have received His protection as well. Notice:
THE PROTECTION WE RECEIVE AS A RESULT OF GOD’S EXTRAVAGANT GRACE
“so that through them (precious promises) you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”
Notice that Peter says we are “Partakers of the divine nature”. As Christians we are born again, born from above, and we are the Children of God. Because of our relationship with Him, God has provided us with great provisions, unbreakable promises, and comforting protection.
The Psalmist said in Psalms 91:2, “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust”. A refuge is a place of safety where one is sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. The Lord is our refuge, and we can trust Him to protect us. The Lord protects us presently and eternally. He protects us from many things and Peter mentions one of them in this passage, that is corruption.
He declares that as Christians, we have “escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire”. Corruption speaks of something that is decomposing or decaying. A life without Christ is a life of corruption. Apart from Christ our righteousness is described as "filthy rags". This means that even the most moral person is corrupt according to God's standards. The only hope we have of being delivered from this corruption is to surrender to Christ. Those who die without Him will die corrupt and will face condemnation. Those who are born again are protected from both corruption and condemnation.
Those who are lost in their sins are condemned to die. They will face Christ in judgement and consequently be condemned to the Lake of Fire for eternity. However, those who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus will be cleansed from their sins, delivered from their corruption and rescued from eternal condemnation.
Paul said in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus said in John 5:24, “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
The greatest fear that anyone could experience has to be the fear of eternal condemnation. Through Christ we are protected from such condemnation, and as a result we can live an abundant victorious Christian life.
If you do not belong to Jesus, then you cannot possess this hope that I speak of. However, such hope is available to you if you will repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Through His finished work at Calvary, you can have access to the grace, mercy and love of God. You have the opportunity to receive provisions, promises and protection all because of “God’s Extravagant Grace”.
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