When I was a younger Christian, I was afraid of straying away from God. I had heard stories of how some Christians had backslid, and I did not want to fall like them. I wish that someone had taught me about 2 Peter 1:3-4 then, because these verses tell us how we can live godly lives and not fall away.

Firstly, God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). This is so fundamental for Christian living and for resisting false teaching, that Peter dispenses with the usual thanksgiving clause found after the greetings in many other New Testament letters (for example, Romans 1:8, Ephesians 1:3, 1 Peter 1:3). Everything that is necessary for us to live godly lives comes from ″his divine power″ (2 Peter 1:3). Peter is referring to Christ's power, which He shares with God the Father. Through Christ's divine power demonstrated in His life, death, and resurrection, we have been given everything we need to lead lives that please God (v. 4).

This comes through our knowledge of Christ–a theme we saw yesterday. Peter stresses the need for Christians to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. This knowledge came when we were converted, and grows as we walk in an intimate relationship with Christ. This is what Jesus has called us to. The ″us″ in verse 3 is not limited to Peter and the other apostles; it also refers to all whom Christ has called by His own glory and goodness. That includes you and me.

Secondly, we have been given ″his very great and precious promises″ (v. 4). The reason for this gift is that we may ″participate in the divine nature″ (v. 4). This participation does not make us gods. Rather, it refers to ″those divine qualities that enable believers to escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires″.¹ In other words, by taking hold of the great and precious promises that God has given us, we can overcome sin caused by evil desires, both now and in the future.

God keeps His promises. By His grace, He has kept me from backsliding. He is able to keep us all from falling.