3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:
What are the great and precious promises of God?
1 Forgiveness
The greatest drag on a joyous life is our inability to get over what we have done. If God forgives and forgets, so should we forgive others and ourselves.
“…they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34, ESV).
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 ESV).
2 Peace
When Jesus greeted anyone, He seemed to know what they needed: “Peace be with you.” He not only promises peace but communion with God that makes it possible.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV).
3 The Gift of the Holy Spirit
For those who had witnessed the crucifixion, after all they had seen Jesus do, the thought of His leaving had to be overwhelming. Jesus promised that there would be compensation for His absence.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever– John 14:6
“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself’ ” (Acts 2:38-39, ESV).
4 Security of Our Souls
The gift of salvation with grace is so awesome that we can’t help but think that it’s too good to be the truth. Connection with God, once achieved through Jesus, stays forever.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, ESV).
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:27-29, ESV).
5 Resurrection from Death
Even with life with Christ, death is a perpetual reality. We are promised that death is not the end. Death is but a “sleep”. It cannot destroy us. We will awaken.
“For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1Thessalonians 4:14, ESV).
“An hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28-29, ESV).
6 Safety on Judgment Day
Judgment Day is unavoidable, but for the follower of Jesus, the verdict is assured.
“We will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:10b-11, ESV).
“By this [God abiding in us] is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1John 4:17, ESV).
7 Eternal Life in Heaven
It all comes down to this: for now we have purpose and meaning and, in the end, we have eternal life, a place in heaven where all tears are wiped away.
“[God] will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4, ESV).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV).
Precious Promises indeed.
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