The Grace afforded the Saints
2 Peter 1: 3-4
It is interesting to note, Peter penned this letter near the end of his life, V.14. No doubt he was mindful of what he faced, knowing the tactics of the Romans and their accepted practices of execution. However, like his contemporary Paul, Peter faced death with resounding faith. There doesn’t appear to be any apprehension from Peter. In fact, one senses a great deal of excitement and anticipation. Peter had preached of faith, lived by faith, and now prepared to face death in faith.
The struggles you and I face are much different than Peter faced in the first century, and yet our lives are filled with difficulty and uncertainty. In the midst of trials we face, we are never without hope. Reaching back to our last study, all believers have received like precious faith. We have nothing to fear in this life or in death. We are secure in the Lord and promised eternal life in Him. Our text today deals with the substance of our hope – our salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.
As we continue to move through the first chapter of Peter’s second epistle, I want to consider the assurances he presented as we discuss: The Grace afforded the Saints.
I. The Gift of Salvation (3) – According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Following a gracious and encouraging greeting, Peter immediately gets to the heart of the matter. He wasted no time reminded the believers of the glorious gift they had received in Christ. Their salvation by grace through faith was of more value than they could possibly imagine. The same is true for those in Christ today. Let’s examine this powerful statement as we consider:
A. The Power (3a) – According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness…Still speaking of the like precious faith we obtained in salvation, Peter makes reference to the divine power associated with our salvation. Salvation is not some haphazard event that transpires without any effort or notice. We are not saved by mortal means. We are saved by the divine power of God. Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Our finite minds cannot begin to comprehend the divine power of God. Can you begin to comprehend God standing on nothing and speaking all that we see and know into existence? Can you comprehend the fact that He exists simply because He is God, without any outside assistance or resources? He is the eternal, omniscient, omnipotent God. His divine power is at work in our salvation! This is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. It is the same power that will one day resurrect our mortal bodies as Christ returns for the church.
When I pause to consider the power of God at work in my salvation, I am left without words. However, I rejoice to know that such power is more than able to deliver and keep my salvation according to His divine will and purpose! Eph.3:20 – Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
B. The Presentation (3a) – According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness…Here Peter reveals a humbling thought that shows the grace and mercy of God in salvation. All salvation is a free gift of God’s good grace to sinners who are unworthy and undeserving. In and of ourselves we were hopelessly lost. We had no means to obtain the righteousness that God demanded. By His great love, and through His good grace, He made a way for us to be redeemed from sin and reconciled to Him. He sent His Son to die for our sin. When one comes to Christ in salvation, the debt of sin one owed is marked paid in full. The debt is canceled and righteousness is offered where sin and guilt once stood. We didn’t earn it or deserve it. God has given grace which results in salvation.
Isn’t it amazing to think God would love us enough to do that for us? He could’ve left us in our sin and forced us to face the just consequences, but He freely gives salvation to those who will realize their need, repent of sin, and respond to the call of salvation. What a blessed privilege to be offered such a gracious gift!
By the way, the grammatical make-up of the phrase hath given reveals a past act with present, continuing benefit. Our salvation isn’t simply an event of the past – it is a continual, present work in our lives, with continual an eternal benefit!
C. The Possession (3b) – According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Salvation affords many benefits and Peter reminds us that in salvation we receive all we need pertaining to life and godliness through the knowledge received at salvation. Providing all things that pertain to life refers to the abundant life we have in Christ. It is the opposite of life lived under the curse of sin. Life in Christ is delivered from condemnation and death. It is abundant life in Him, overflowing with His goodness and grace!
Having been given all things that pertain unto godliness speaks of simply living in a way that pleases God. It is life lived in reverence and awe of our Lord and Savior. A life of godliness creates a desire within the believer to seek the very nature and characteristics of God. This is a transformed life, seeking Christ-likeness in every aspect of life.
I don’t know about you, but I am certainly glad the Lord didn’t just save me and set me out to make it through the best way I could. He provides all we need to live lives that are pleasing to Him. He equips us for the journey. As we walk with the Lord, growing in grace and knowledge, we become more like Him. We are given all we need to glorify God while living in this life. Phil.1:6 – Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
II. The Guarantee in Salvation (4) – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Having discussed the gracious gift of salvation, Peter then described the compelling guarantee associated with salvation. Consider:
A. The Promises (4a) – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises. Along with salvation comes an abundance of precious promises. They are too many to mention and certainly beyond our ability to grasp, but we can enjoy their certainty. We are assured of forgiveness of sin and eternal life in Christ through salvation. We are promised the indwelling and guidance of the Spirit of God. We are promised strength and wisdom for every task we face, each day we live. We are promised a home in heaven when this life is through. Every promise the Lord made, He will keep. We will receive every portion of His divine will for our lives and eternal destiny. There can be no doubt that a God who loves so much and possesses such power will keep His promises. John Phillips had this to say, “The promises of God are blank checks, drawn on the bank of heaven, signed by the Lord of glory, and given to us so that we can fill in our name, our need, and the "now" of our present emergency. For what more could we ask?” (i)
B. The Provision (4b) – that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Here we discover a great benefit and blessing to the believer. While our physical bodies are not saved, and as long as we dwell in this life we will battle the tendency to sin, we have been made partakers of the divine nature. In essence we have been made children of God, adopted into the family. We are viewed in light of the righteousness of Christ our Lord. God sees the saved as He sees His Son. We have been delivered from the condemnation of the flesh.
One day we will lay aside this mortal body that is prone to sin and put on our new, glorified bodies as we meet our Savior and Lord in the air! For many of us, salvation occurred years ago, but we have not yet discovered the wonder and glory of it all! 1 John 3:2 – Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 Cor.15:51-57 – Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? [56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: I trust you have been encouraged and strengthened through the eternal Word today. Those who are in Christ have received far more than we can possibly comprehend. We are given everything we need to live victorious Christian lives that honor and identify with our Savior. Life will continue to have its share of heartache and difficulty, but we can face our trials with complete confidence and assurance in Christ. Rom.13:11 – And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Do you have the assurance of salvation in Christ? If so, you have received these great and precious promises. You have been made a partaker of His divine nature. Your life has been delivered from the bondage of sin and death. You have much to rejoice in and unmatched power to overcome in Christ. If you are yet unsaved, I urge you to respond to the leading of the Spirit. Come today in repentance and faith unto salvation!
(i) John Phillips Commentary Series, The - The John Phillips Commentary Series – Exploring the Epistles of Peter: An Expository Commentary.
