“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.”
as His divine power
“As” is a marker of a reason – on the grounds that, because. Because God’s power has given us everything we need, we possess well-founded assurance to live the Christian life.
“Divine” means pertaining to God. Peter here references the power related to God. “Divine” speaks of the attributes of God. It is God seen from the standpoint of His characteristics. “Divine” then is all that bears the stamp of God. It is what God is and especially what proceeds from Him. Here Peter sees God, particularly from the attribute of power. Divine, then, means the manifested presence of God. It is the bloom of His character, His glory (Jn 1:14,18).
In the previous verse, Peter summons Christians to gain a “full knowledge” of God. In this verse, we now come to understand what he means. God is a God of power. That power is available to us. We have the possibility to address our problems beyond operation bootstraps.
The word “power” here is inherent and refers to God’s innate potency. We enjoy His built-in power to live the Christian life. God guarantees us the ability to live in His strength. He makes it possible for us to win.
PRINCIPLE:
There is a relationship between God’s power and the benefits of the Christian life.
APPLICATION:
The relationship between the believer and God is direct when it comes to living the Christian life. God’s power, His omnipotent power, is available to us for whatever we face in life.
From eternity, God thought about us in terms of His limitless power. He knew we would accept Christ as our Savior billions of years ago. Knowing this, He set up a trust fund for us. This trust fund contains many spiritual assets to operate in life. God provided in eternity past every blessing we require for living the Christian life. He does not wait until you are in a jam and then try to figure out what to do for you.
There is nothing unstable about God. He established this trust fund in eternity past (Eph 1:4.5). God provided in such a way as to leave nothing undone. He furnished everything we need for time and eternity. The Lord did this in His power. He can deliver it to us anytime we need it.
Was thrown back to read, “billions of years ago”. Upon pausing and thinking about it, you must of been saying God a billion years ago. Not that the earth or man is a billion years ago. Please, assure me of this truth. Rhonda
Rhonda, note that I said "from eternity" God did this. It is God's actions billions of years ago.
I should know this by now, having been a Christian most of my life, but how do I access God’s divine power for myself and family? I feel like I’m the only one holding my family together and I’m floundering. I so need His strength to know how to fight And overcome.
Sandy, I would suggest that beginning with this website http://versebyversecommentary.com/galatians/galatians-516/ that you continue this study through 5:23.