care more than some think is wise; risk more than some think is safe;
dream more than some think is practical; expect more than some think is possible

9.30.2010

Pertaining to Divine Power

The following is 2 Peter 1:1-11...
Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith equal with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus or Lord. 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, 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 desires. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of out Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
This passage, which is so full of wondrous promises, has yet left me with questions. I am curious to fully understand what all of this has to do with "the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (v2). Now, I understand that through the "knowledge of him who called us" is what leads us, via his divine power, but I don't really understand how all of this is related. Maybe because the language is complex and layered its hard for me to get it. And I don't know Greek. I guess my questions just leave me at, what is the role of knowledge in all of this? Is knowledge the foundation on which all virtue is built, producing in us the ability to partake of the divine nature (of Christ) by the working of God in us?

Perhaps, as Henry writes, it is the initial acknowledgement of the only true God and Jesus Christ as Savior unto salvation, which tends itself to having grace and peace multiplied to the believer. I am sure this is true, for there must be an acknowledgement of one's need for Jesus as Savior before we can enjoy the benefits of the elect of God.

Henry goes on to say (in his commentary) that all spiritual blessing - grace and peace & the divine nature - are ours only in and through Jesus Christ. He is the head of all blessings, and this is so through His divine power. He holds all authority to dispense all spiritual blessings as He sees fit. Henry goes on to say, it is because of Christ and His divine power which is His that effects all that is necessary for the preserving, improving, and perfecting of grace and peace.

The knowledge of God, which leads to faith ... these are the two avenues by which spiritual supports are conveyed to us. This takes me back to my earlier question, "What is the role of knowledge in all of this? Is knowledge the foundation on which all virtue is built, producing in us the ability to partake of the divine nature (of Christ) by the working of God in us?" I think my answer is yes, assuming that Henry's understanding is correct.

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