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 2:3-4).
Peter writes in the book of Second Peter a great deal about promises, both good ones and bad ones. A study concerning God’s promises aids in both the building of one’s faith and sustaining of one’s hope. Consider three thoughts concerning promises, especially the exceeding great and precious promises of God.
1. The Offeror. One must always consider the source from which the promise is made. Peter addressed God giving “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Peter writes in the next chapter concerning false teachers, “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” (2 Peter 2:19). Persuasive speech that is ill founded often uses words of promise without any proof. Words like “You just cannot live without this” or “This is guaranteed to transform your life” should cause one to be prudent and vigilant to such claims. Only God has the power and authority to make such claims. Peter’s inspired words pointed the source of the great promises to come only from God and His authority. One must not be naïve about promise makers.
2. The Objective. Peter writes of God’s 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 1:4). Divine blessings are the offering and the objective to be sought. False teachers appeal to the lusts of the flesh (cf. 2 Peter 2:18). The child of God is taught to not love the things of this world but that which is of God (cf. 1 John 2:15-16). While God does provide blessings of promise in this life, it is the life to come that is the objective (cf. 1 Tim. 4:8). It is the things not seen that are the focus of the attention of God’s people, not the focus of the physical, temporal world (2 Cor. 4:18).
3. The Outcome. What happens when promises are offered but their outcome is not realized? Solomon wrote, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life” (Prov. 13:12). One does not develop confidence in liars and offers of false hope. One only has to study the promises of God of the past to be drawn to trust and hope in God in the present and future. A life like Abraham was built upon a strong faith in the promise of God (cf. Rom. 4:18-21). The promise made to David of a future heir to sit upon the throne is realized in Christ (cf. Acts 2:30-36). Paul wrote to Titus concerning God and promises, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour” (Titus 1:2-3). The outgrowth of confidence in the great promises of God are seen in the third chapter of Second Peter (cf. 2 Peter 3:9-14). A repentant, holy, godly and diligent life tied to righteousness will not be unrewarded in the end.
Jimmy Clark