“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” – 2 Peter 1:3
In the first part of this series, we explored the concept of living in one of two stories. To learn the default story of our lives we inverted 2 Peter 1:3-4. In this article we will focus on how the gospel transforms the first highlighted part of the inversion:
Our human power has worked in us all things pertaining to death and godlessness, through the knowledge of the world, which calls us to its own shame and brokenness. By it, we have been duped with empty and deceptive promises, so that through them we become practitioners of selfishness, enslaved by the corruption that is in the world because of desires that go against God’s design.
Secular and Religious Life-Renewal Myths
We all sense the need to be renewed, but we often seek that renewal in the wrong places. There are two primary myths about life renewal.
Secular Life-Renewal Myth: The world offers countless promises of renewal—through entertainment, possessions, self-enhancement, politics, or finances. But none of these can change our nature, which is where real renewal is needed.
Religious Life-Renewal Myth: Even within religious circles, people may try moral, habitual, or devotional adjustments in an effort to gain life. However, these are merely external changes and lack the power to make sinners godly or bring the dead to life.
We Are Renewed by Jesus
Peter opens 2 Peter 1:3 by stating, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” Power is all about ability, capacity, and capability. Who needs the power of Jesus? Those who are dead in sin, enslaved to selfishness, and conformed to the pattern of this world. And that includes all of us.
Peter highlights this to remind us that we do not have the capacity to secure life for ourselves or the ability to live godly lives in and of ourselves. Yes, we need to hear about the love and grace of Jesus, but for these to take root in our lives, we must first experience the power of Jesus.
The power of Jesus operates in two key ways:
1. Sovereign Power: Jesus overthrows our hard and dead hearts. He changes our ignorant minds, stubborn wills, and twisted desires, implanting His Spirit in us to resurrect us to spiritual life with God.
2. Resurrection Power: The life and godliness Jesus imparts are His very own. He descended into our death, but He arose victorious over the grave. The new life He gives us flows from His death and resurrection. When He enacts our spiritual resurrection, it is based on the power and merit of His own resurrection.
Jesus Changes Our Story
This truth safeguards us from seeking renewal in the wrong places. Our renewal isn’t in vacations, promotions, relationships, or retirement. It’s not in a new neighborhood or school district. Our renewal isn’t even in our community or a diet plan. Our renewal is in Jesus Christ alone. It is His divine power that grants us all things pertaining to life and godliness.
While some of these things may be helpful, they cannot touch the deepest part of us where true renewal must occur. Only Jesus can change our story.
What This Means For Discipleship
This reality has important implications for our mission to make disciples. If you are a Christian, you are equipped to make disciples. It’s time to get in the game because your perceived lack of competence isn’t the defining factor. The defining factor in discipleship effectiveness is the power of Jesus.
On the flip side, some of us need to hear that we are not the source of power for anyone else’s life or godliness. I’ve personally stretched myself thin, believing I was serving or discipling someone when, in reality, I was trying to be Jesus in their life. We must serve Jesus and point others to Him, but we cannot be Jesus for them. Only He is the divine power for life and godliness, even as we guide others toward Him.
To read Our New Story Pt. 1, CLICK HERE
