Second Peter Chapter One verses two and three
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
One thing that's for certain in these times that we are living in is that we need more grace and more peace. There are so many things today that are stealing our peace and frustrating the grace that God has poured into our lives.
While I was meditating on these scriptures this morning I decided to stop and study these scriptures more closely. Sometimes we read through the scriptures so fast that we don't take time to listen to what they are really saying. We just fly right past great revelation on our way to finishing the chapter and moving on to the next one. How many of you are like me and are sometimes guilty of doing this? Put your hand down silly, I can’t see you from here. So let’s study and see just what revelation is hiding in plain sight in these verses.
First of all grace and peace comes from knowing God our Father and Jesus our Lord. We will never find peace anywhere else. But these scriptures say more than that. The word knowing in this verse means to have a personal relationship with someone. Knowing about Jesus isn't enough: Knowing him personally is what counts.
The only way to know someone personally is to spend time with them. Second hand knowledge won't work here. What your pastor knows about Jesus won't bring you any grace or peace unless you develop a relationship with Jesus and with the Father.
Another word I really like in this verse is the word multiplied. It doesn't just mean a little. The root meaning of the word is to multiply to maximum capacity. Isn't that awesome?! How would you like your peace to be multiplied to maximum capacity? How would you like so much peace that you couldn't possibly handle any more?
The word grace used in this context means the favor, kindness and blessing of God. How about that multiplied to maximum capacity?
Next in verse three it says that God through his divine power has given us ALL things that pertain to life and Godliness through the knowledge of Him. Anything we could ever need to live this life and to become like God is given to us as we begin to know him. The more we get to know him the more these things are multiplied in our lives. It comes no other way.
We can't get more like God by keeping rules or by doing deeds. It comes by bearing the fruit of a relationship with him. It's good to do good works and to read and study about him but nothing will replace the time spent just praying and talking to him like your best friend. The more time we spend with him the more we become like him. As we spend this precious time with him we begin to truly know him and not just know about him. As we do this grace and peace are multiplied to us. It is so awesome that we are rewarded by spending time with him and for spending time with him.
Verse three also says that we are called to glory and virtue. These things will come as a result of knowing him. It's amazing that the King of Glory would share his glory with us and through us as we come to know him. His character and likeness rubs off on us as we spend time with him.
Finally I will give you some practical advice on how to spend time with him. I've been doing some of these things and I am having the time of my life getting to really know him and to know his heart. I'm not saying that I have arrived at some great pinnacle of glory and virtue but I am saying that as I do these things I'm seeing more visions, getting more revelations and hearing His voice better than ever. I am finding more peace and his grace is flowing more freely in my life.
Just remember these are things that I do and they are not the only way and certainly are not rules. We are each individual children and he communicates with us in different ways according to our personalities. So please build your own relationship with him and if you find some things that work great for you please email me and share what you have learned. Here are a few of mine.
1. See him inside you at all times. He doesn't have to come to you he only has to appear to you because he promised to never leave us or forsake us. He is always with us.
2. Make time to get away one on one. I used to think that I didn't have time but once I started making time then his grace took some things out of my life that were stealing my time with him. He'll do the same for you. Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Spend a few moments worshiping him privately and telling him how much you love him, and then tell him about your dreams, your hurts, your worries and your fears and listen as his voice becomes clearer to you and his peace settles into your life. Don't forget sometimes he speaks with words and sometimes it's with a vision or dream or a knowing inside.
3. Save enough time to listen after you have told him your cares. Respectfully wait until he has time to communicate with you the answers. We sometimes ask a question and then don't wait for the answer. We wouldn't do that to a friend so why do we do him that way? Yes, I admit I've been guilty of that.
As a side note, one time while in my favorite hiding place with him I asked him a question and he took several hours to answer. I asked why he took so long and he said that he wanted to spend time with me and if he knew that if he gave me the answer right away I would leave. It still hurts me that I treated him that way.
So if you get your answer right away please don't hurt his feelings and leave quickly. Take some time to spend with him. Now when the answers come quickly I spend the rest of the time in worship or listening to him teaching me whatever he wants to talk about.
4. Be prepared to be taught. When He walked on earth in flesh they called him teacher because that's who He is. He also said that He sent the Holy Spirit to teach us. So bring a bible and a notebook or a laptop or whatever you keep notes on. All teachers love it when you take notes. It lets them know you are serious about what they are teaching.
5. Enjoy the journey. We are on an unending journey of discovery. For all eternity we will be learning of him and getting to know him. This won't end when we get to heaven. He is greater than time and so great that it would be impossible to ever learn all there is to know about him in one eternity; But the more we know him the more his grace and peace will be multiplied to us and the more his glory and virtue will appear in us.
I encourage you to get to know the One true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent to save the world. Get to know the Holy Spirit whom He sent to teach us all things. Have a personal relationship with Him and become friends with Him. He gave his life not just to be your Lord and master but to be your friend. He really does love you that much.
I hope you are encouraged by these words.
Until next time,
Grow Rich in His Grace,
I love you all,
michael
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