“The Lord’s divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” ~2 Peter 1:3 (NRSV).
The Problem
Let’s call it the sinful nature. For the uninitiated this is simply about understanding our common human frailty; the constant temptation to think or act inappropriately (in other words, to miss the God-mark of love). We know this to be true for two examples: 1) when we think inappropriately but catch ourselves before any harm is done; and, 2) when we inadvertently act on instinct and make discretionary mistakes.
This problem is sorted, comprehensively, in the very act of applying the principle given in the above Scripture passage.
Analysing Life
Let’s test it out. Whenever we find we’ve made errors of conscience or consciousness we know, that somehow, we have departed from God and this divine power, above-mentioned.
As we endure periods of struggle in life—and all do—we’re destined to forget the essential keys in making life durable and, no less, effective; even inspiring.
It’s a sad case that we often settle for life that is packaged as a basket case when all of God’s power is poured into many visible and invisible things, including the Word of God and the knowledge of God, via Spiritual revelation and all manner of truth.
There is an abundance of two dichotomous things in life: those which emit the glory of God and those which reveal the absence of God—the evil underpinning most of the life we are distracted by. Either of these is easily noticed, and the more time we spend with one, the more we are defined by it.
Meaning for Life
If we notice more the presence of evil, and therefore align ourselves in contempt, because of indignation, we think that way and the divine power for life and godliness is not available to us.
However, if we take notice more the inimitable Presence of God, and of goodness, and therefore align ourselves in the majesty of revealed Divinity, we will think that way and the divine power for life and godliness will be available to us in abundance.
The simplicity of the gospel message is its power. This is far beyond ‘positive thinking’. Drawing into the knowledge of God is to push away the influence of evil over us. We cannot do any good without God’s power.
This is about where our focus is.
If we set our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2), we will have great power in order to do the Lord’s bidding—for God’s glory.
The truth is all times are ‘times of need’ and the only strength that gets us through is the knowledge of God who has called all of us by his own glory and goodness.
© 2011 S. J. Wickham.
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