Daily Bread 4-1-17

2 Peter 1:4-8

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

ref. - 2Cor 7:1 - Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Eph 4:24 - And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

2Cor 6:4,6 - But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

2P 3:18 - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.

Gal 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them which are of the household of faith.

1Th 3:12 - And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.

In this scripture we are spoken to about promises, a new life, a new way of thinking, a new way of living, and much about how to achieve all these things. We are also told that we have been given opportunity. The opportunity to be transformed into the godly man or woman that has these qualities. In the eighth verse it says, "For if these things be in you". This meaning that we cannot just flip a switch and decide that this is us, we must actually have something in us that makes us these people. It is great to make a decision to better ourselves and become better people but the gift must come from God in Jesus Christ. We must experience something not natural but spiritual. Not of this world, but of the divine nature. Today, if we are trying to play the part or put on the show, it will not last. The pig returns to the mire and the dog to his vomit. No, this is not for us! If we have the Spirit of God we are no longer dogs feeding from the crumbs of the table or pigs that can be entered by evil spirits and caused to run off a cliff and perish. No, in Jesus Christ we are quite the opposite, we actually have been given a seat at the table! Now saying that we have received and actually receiving are two different things sometimes. If a true spiritual transformation has occurred or is occurring, we will be amazed in ourselves. We will be thinking cleaner thoughts, we will have the desire to be clothed with the garments of these gifts that Christ put in us, we will also not find it hard to be obedient to the direction and ordinance of the gospel of Christ. There are many people who are on this earth who have seized the opportunity and that are receiving the promises. What we must ask ourselves is this, "Is this me?" If so, then we know that we are only beginning our journey to godly perfection but at least we have a good start. Let us continue in it and abound until our heavenly reward is given to us!! If this is not us, then let us seek for the true transformation that only the Holy Ghost in Jesus Christ can provide. Learn of him, learn of his ways, and pray fervently that he will find mercy on us and change our hearts, minds, and souls, so that we can also be partakers of the promises and opportunities that we have been offered. We can do it, because in Christ we can do all things pertaining to godliness and a spiritual life!!! Have a great day!!!