“More consequences for thought and action follow the affirmation or denial of God than from answering any other basic question.”
~ Mortimer Adler, former Chair, Board of Editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica
It is impossible to overstate the importance to our lives regarding what we believe about God. I believe all humans know about God to a certain degree. The basic elements of his eternal power and divine nature, Romans 1:20 tells us, are on display through the creation we all live within. But to move beyond the common knowledge of God that all have to the particular knowledge of God that leads one to salvation and ultimate glory requires the saving grace of God, applied faith, and the accompanying discipleship that comes alongside true Christian faith. Thankfully, part of God’s saving grace to his people is his ability and desire to reveal himself to us. One of the primary ways he does this is through the study of his Word, the bible. This past Sunday, we looked at God’s promises and means of fulfilling them. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to listen to the message in addition to working through this week’s devotionals and reading plan.
Studying the many and varied promises of God are critically important if we are to understand the attributes of God and his dealings with us. Moreover, deeply knowing and trusting in his promises helps us grow in our faith, and anchor our troubled hearts during times of suffering and trial. One of the bible’s most precious statements regarding God’s promises comes in Peter’s second letter:
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3,4)
Do you believe, I mean really believe, that God has purposed to use you to display his glory? Peter acknowledges the state of the world, yet also knows that God has not only called us to an ultimate state of glory, but even now grants to us all that we need in this life to live as godly image bearers. Sin will make many enticing, but deceitful, promises to you; we best fight them by embracing God’s higher, more beautiful, and very precious promises!