Precious Promises
2 Peter 1:4 (ESV) – 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.
Can you think of a time someone made a big promise to you? Promises are guarantees in the present of a future action. Parents promise children that if they keep their room clean they will take them out for ice-cream at the end of the week. Employers promise that if the company hits its goals they will give bonuses to the team. Spouses may make a promise that once they pay their debt off they will try to have another child. Promises vary in scope and importance, but people interact with promises every day.
Our passage today reminds us of promises given to Christians. Peter is writing to Christians scattered throughout different lands. He tells them that God has granted everything we need in life through Christ, “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.”
Peter reminds believers that we have received precious and very great promises in Christ. Through those promises we have become partakers of the divine nature. We are one with God. We have communion with the Triune God through the atoning work of Jesus on our behalf. Jesus cleansed us. We have escaped from the corruption of our flesh and been set free to walk in holiness. The promises we have run deep.
In Christ, we are forgiven of our sins. Through Jesus, the power of sin no longer has the ability to enslave us. We are free to obey. In Christ, God’s presence is with us always to help us, sustain us, and provide us hope in our troubles. Christians have the hope of eternal life where our lowly bodies will be transformed into glorious bodies like His.
We will live forever in a New Heaven and New Earth with God amongst us. This is all possible through Christ. These are precious promises to us.
Recite them daily. Cling to them.
And trust the God who made them to us.
Reflection & Journal:
- Why are promises so important to us?
- What are the greatest promises that you think about often?
- How do God’s promises help us in our troubles and difficulties?
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