Read 2 Peter 1 at Bible Gateway.
2 Pet 1:2-4 chiastic structure
1a) 2 Pet 1:2a, Grace + peace be multiplied to you;
1b) 2 Pet 1:2b, In the knowledge of God + of Jesus our Lord;
central axis) 2 Pet 1:3a, As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life + godliness;
2b) 2 Pet 1:3b-4a, Through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory + virtue/by which have been given to us exceedingly great + precious promises;
2a) 2 Pet 1:4b, That through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
His divine power has already given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. That is, what do we need to sustain life, both of the spirit and of the body? He has already given us those things. What do we need to sustain godliness, that is, right heart attitudes, right thinking, and right actions? He has already given us those things. How? Through the knowledge of Him. Jesus said,
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Joh 8:32.
That freedom is freedom from the bondage of sin, so that the corruption that is in the world through lust is no longer our master.
So then Peter is explaining how knowing the truth can cause someone to be a partaker of the divine nature — God’s own nature, now, which is godliness, which is living in and experiencing grace and living in and experiencing peace. God has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises in His word, and it is through these promises, through knowing these promises, which are truth, we become partakers of the divine nature. We escape bondage to sin and lust and walk in every thing which pertains to life and godliness.
How does knowing what is true make one free?
Let’s say one of your besetting weaknesses is being plagued with worry. The enemy fuels that fear by firing fiery darts with the general theme of “God won’t (or can’t) take care of me.” But what do God’s exceedingly great and precious promises say?
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. Psa 23:1-2
Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psa 55:22
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock; in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. Isa 40:11
Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luk 12:32
And there are many more like that besides. God’s word is full of truth for every variation of lie that the enemy lies to us. When we know what God’s word says, and what are His precious and exceedingly great promises, then we know what has already been given to us: everything pertaining to life and godliness. And when we choose to believe Him, then walking in grace and peace becomes our daily normal, rather than worry, worldly lust, or whatever the enemy is tormenting us with today.
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