Carina Francke

2 Peter 1:3,4:"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by His own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

The word 'life' refers to the physical and spiritual dimension of our existence. In the physical we know that someone is alive when he breathes or has movements, but does he really live? Let me explain: he gets up, goes to work, returns home, in passing asks how everyone is (maybe) and goes to bed....day in and day out. A monotonous existence.

To really live is to be on an exploring trip of 'life things': to take a moment to pause and intentionally admire the sun coming up; eat your bread with thankfulness; keep your senses sharp to be enriched by the unexpected, but even better, be someone for other people around you. This is the kind of things that give meaning to your life.

But life is especially about the spiritual dimension - man's spirit risen from the dead because of his faith in and knowledge of Jesus. This relationship deposits God's power and gifts in your life, which enable you to escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. You are now in possession of weapons "that have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself but against God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."(2 Corinthians 10:4,5)

You need not bow your knee before temptations anymore - His godly power enables you to resist. You can take control of your wandering and doubting thoughts; you can expose sly, misleading talk for what it is - lies; and you can be freed from anything from the past that keeps you in bondage.

The world need not dictate your lifestyle, preference, emotions and actions anymore. No, you belong to Him - you were called by Him and His gifts to you are your passport to freedom. Moreover, these gifts enable you to participate in His divine nature, to become like Him so that your life becomes a mirror that increasingly reflects His glory.

Prayer: Our Father, my heart is running over with joy for the life made possible through my relationship with you.  Thank you that I am able to live my natural life joyously and that my spiritual life can be victorious because Your power lives within me. Amen