A Life Worth Living
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: 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. 2 Peter 1:3,4
Are you living a godly life? What exactly is a godly life, what does it look like, and how do you live it? 2 Peter1:3-4 focuses us in on how to live such a life in a very messed up, upside down age.
Peter eloquently writes that our Savior, God, and Lord Jesus Christ “hath given to us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.”
Peter describes a godly life in two specific ways. He also tells us how to flesh it out, to live it. First, a godly life is participating with God’s divine nature. That is, a godly person grows as a sharer or a partaker of the very divine nature of God, which begins with the new birth. Second, a godly life escapes from the world’s corruption. A person living the best life on earth miraculously breaks free from the world’s corrupting forces.
We cannot do this on our own! Even more, we will not even want to do it on our own! This world system is humanly like Alcatraz, an inescapable prison! However, God can break us out of the prison house of sin, lust, and pride that alienates a person from Him.
So, how do we actually experience this meaningful life of godliness evidenced by participating with God’s divine nature and by escaping the world’s corruptive powers?
Peter reveals four clear principles we must grasp if we are to have this life worth living. First, we must live through His divine power. This is the power of Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour, our Lord and King! Peter makes clear that Jesus Christ is God, for Jesus is the One who has “divine power.” It is by the power of His Word, His Name, His Spirit, and His Gospel that we live godly in this present world.
Second, we must live through His personal knowledge. This word “knowledge” is at the heart of living with meaning for it speaks of a personal, intimate, and meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not enough to know about Christ, rather, we actually need to know Him as Savior, Friend, and Lord. John 17:3 says, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.”
Third, we must live through His glorious call. Jesus Christ calls to glory and virtue, because He is the God of glory and virtue, or moral excellence. Jesus Christ called Peter, and said, “Come and follow me,” and Peter beheld his glory and saw the moral excellence of this One who called was perfectly righteous. Jesus personally called the disciples and said, “Follow me!” and this call separated them from the world to be with Him. This call gave them a life worth living. We must also hear His call and follow Him in a real relationship.
Finally, a life worth living is lived through His precious promises. The precious promises tell of our precious Saviour (1 Peter 2:6, 7). His promises are valuable and of great worth that make life fulfilling. God’s promises are “exceeding great” which means they are the greatest promises one can find on earth. When you personally embrace His promises, His call, His knowledge, and His power, you will have a life truly worth living!
Matt Recker is the pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in New York City.
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