“…by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises…” – 2 Peter 1:4
In the previous articles, we have explored how Jesus renews us through His divine power and through our relationship with Him. In this article, we turn our attention to the third aspect of our new story: the promises of God. To understand the default story of our lives, we have inverted 2 Peter 1:3-4. In this article, we will examine how the gospel transforms the highlighted part below:
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.
We Are Renewed With Promise
Peter continues in verse 4, “…by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises…” What are these precious and very great promises? They encompass all the promises found throughout the Bible—God’s presence, goodness, faithfulness, our future, forgiveness, eternal life, mission, and purpose. The greatness of what God promises far surpasses anything this world offers. God has freely given us everything our hearts deeply desire and more, and it all comes as a gift through Jesus.
Downpayment
At this point in history, much of what Christ has secured for us is received in downpayment form. As mentioned in previous articles, “the last days” refer to the period from Jesus’ resurrection and ascension until His final return. The Kingdom of Christ has been inaugurated but not yet consummated. Thus, the promises are precious because we have received downpayments of the future, while awaiting the full completion of these promises.
In today’s housing market, earnest money is a common practice. When making an offer on a house, earnest money is a small portion put down to show that the buyer is serious. This earnest money is not different from the final payment but is a partial payment during the contingency period. Similarly, what we have received from Jesus is a portion of the fulfillment. It is a downpayment of all that is to come.
For Example:
Justification: We have been justified before God, but public vindication is yet to come. Although God sees us as righteous in Christ, others may still view our faith skeptically. The promise is precious because, one day, we will no longer face such skepticism.
Personal Holiness: We have been born again with a new nature and the Holy Spirit, yet we still struggle with sin. Our personal holiness is inaugurated but not yet complete. The promise is precious because, one day, we will be free from sin entirely.
Adoption: We have been adopted into God’s family and granted citizenship in His Kingdom, but we live as refugees in a foreign land. The promise is precious because, one day, our environment will fully reflect our allegiance to God, and we will experience the familiar comfort of our Father’s house.
Application
We have received the downpayment of the Spirit, which elevates our desire for the fulfillment of all God’s promises because we have tasted their goodness. Even as we await their full realization, we have everything we need to walk in godliness and enjoy life to the fullest. This is our new story—we aren’t home yet, but we have been given everything we need to carry us through the journey.
CLICK HERE to read Our New Story, Pt. 3
