“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.” 2 Peter 1:3
June 30, 2023
Depression, addictions, bizarre behavior, physical illness, divorce, sexual abuse, bipolar disorder, anorexia, panic attacks, childhood hyperactivity, suicidal thoughts. What if such a list were read and explained to the Apostle Peter? What would he have said. What counsel would he give us? Thankfully, we have his thoughts, actually the Spirit of God’s wisdom. There are those who would say that we know much more about so-called behavior disorders than Peter could have had access to. But we have an intellectual class, we are led to believe, who can take us to where the apostles could not go. So much for the authority and sufficiency of the Scriptures. I like the New English Translation of 2 Peter 1:3, “I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.” The Lord Jesus Christ provides the gift of spiritual power to live a godly life. This is power for triumphant involvement in life, not withdrawal. The world does all it can do to ignore, redefine, and reject the concept of sin, human depravity, and a corrupt human heart. Sin has disappeared into the deep dark hole of “disorders.” Whatever may be the difficulties with which we wrestle, we must not lose our grip on the truth that power to overcome comes through the grandeur of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Are we trying to find something more, some secondary supplement, some chemical, some mystical experience, some psychological placebo? My friend, who is now with the Lord, David Powlison, has given us a keeper. 2 Peter is “animated by the need to distinguish false voices from true voices, and a dead-end lifestyle from a fruitful way of life” (How Does Sanctification Work? (Powlison)).
H
“My all-satisfying Savior, I need your Spirit to guide me through the bewildering voices of human wisdom to find the paths of righteousness for your name’s sake.”