(He) hath called us to glory and virtue 2 Peter 1 ; 3
God has called us, through the knowledge of Himself, "to His own glory and excellence" - - I prefer the "to" there , to "by" as in the RSV. He has called us to glory and excellence; in other words to holiness. He has called us to an entirely new kind of life.
Therefore He has called us to something which is quite impossible in our own strength. I haven't got the power to live a life like Jesus Christ. So in the same breath Peter tells me also that He has provided the means by which such a life can be lived. He has given me His divine power. And --to put it more exactly -- that divine power has given me "all things that pertain to life and godliness". Now isn't that a striking phrase! It is a comprehensive phrase. Everthing that I need for a life of godliness is provided by the power of God when He calls me to a knowledge of Himself., and to His excellence and glory.
What God asks of us, He makes possible for us. This is absolutely fundamental to the bible picture. Jesus came up to a man who had a withered arm, and which he was incapable of lifting. "Stretch forth your arm" Jesus said. "I cannot do that Lord, its no good asking me to do the impossible" He didn't say that......what did he do? He lifts up his withered arm --because with the command is the power. If God commands me to do anything, I don't have to ask Him for the power to do it; the power is there. He would'nt ask me to do it, if he hadn't given me the enabling. And I can obey -- it is the obedience of faith, isn't it: I cannot obey in my own natural wisdom, because I haven't the strength to lift up my arm -- but I can obey through faith. If He tells me to do anything He will make it possible.
God is always asking us to do the impossible. But power always comes with the call
God has called us, through the knowledge of Himself, "to His own glory and excellence" - - I prefer the "to" there , to "by" as in the RSV. He has called us to glory and excellence; in other words to holiness. He has called us to an entirely new kind of life.
Therefore He has called us to something which is quite impossible in our own strength. I haven't got the power to live a life like Jesus Christ. So in the same breath Peter tells me also that He has provided the means by which such a life can be lived. He has given me His divine power. And --to put it more exactly -- that divine power has given me "all things that pertain to life and godliness". Now isn't that a striking phrase! It is a comprehensive phrase. Everthing that I need for a life of godliness is provided by the power of God when He calls me to a knowledge of Himself., and to His excellence and glory.
What God asks of us, He makes possible for us. This is absolutely fundamental to the bible picture. Jesus came up to a man who had a withered arm, and which he was incapable of lifting. "Stretch forth your arm" Jesus said. "I cannot do that Lord, its no good asking me to do the impossible" He didn't say that......what did he do? He lifts up his withered arm --because with the command is the power. If God commands me to do anything, I don't have to ask Him for the power to do it; the power is there. He would'nt ask me to do it, if he hadn't given me the enabling. And I can obey -- it is the obedience of faith, isn't it: I cannot obey in my own natural wisdom, because I haven't the strength to lift up my arm -- but I can obey through faith. If He tells me to do anything He will make it possible.
God is always asking us to do the impossible. But power always comes with the call
