Knowledge (Dictionary): What one knows; all that is known or can be learned; clear and certain mental perception.
Knowledge (Bible): Knowledge; recognition; true knowledge; understanding way.
Partaker (Dictionary): Someone who takes a part in or a share of.
Partaker( Bible): A sharer or a partner” Root word for Koinonia (fellowship).
The total knowledge of mankind is expanding at an incredible rate. Some say that the total of all mankind’s knowledge will now double every 7-8 years or even in less time! Amazing. Yet, as the world increases in its knowledge, the Word of God remains an unlimited source of knowledge that often goes untapped. But God has revealed how we can tap into His infinite knowledge.
2 Peter 1:1-3: “ 1Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” (NASB)
This is an incredible Scripture. Peter points out that we share a common faith and that precious faith comes from God’s righteousness, not ours. In fact, it comes from the very source of His own glory and excellence! He also clearly says that within God’s righteousness, there is an abundance of grace and peace. This is what the world seeks and needs. But, God’s righteousness is something the world has a hard time grasping. When we are called by God, He moves us from where we are and places us directly into His realm of righteousness. It happens in our spirit and results in a massive change to who we are! Then, once we are within God’s righteousness, we are able to tap into His abundance of knowledge, grace and truth. It is a place of such power that all we can do is thank Him with adoration and praise. It is a place where we join our hearts with God! In Isaiah 61, we read a wonderful Messianic prophecy that applies to us:
Isaiah 61:10-11: “10-11 I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara. For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations.” (MSG)
Wow-what a reminder of what our Dear Lord has done for all His children! This is a wonderful picture of what our mighty God’s heart is all about. And, Jesus was all about revealing the heart of the Father and who God really is. He wanted everyone to know God’s heart!
John 14:6: “9Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Jesus wanted to reveal who God really is! He spoke the words of the Father, He walked out His life in a way so we could see God in action and learn, and He showed God’s love. Jesus wanted us to know that within God’s righteousness there is power for us to live a godly life.
2 Peter 1:4: “4For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”(NASB)
Within God’s realm of grace and righteousness, we find access to, and an understanding of, His storehouse of promises. These are no ordinary promises! These are extraordinary promises. They are God breathed, obtainable and 100% promises! In fact, Peter calls them MAGNIFICENT promises. Through these promises we gain access into His divine nature and His resurrection power and become empowered to live our lives in a remarkable way! Maybe we need to spend more time not only learning these promises but becoming avid partakers!
2 Peter 1:5-9: “5-9So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.” (MSG)
Peter writes that we are then to live within this robe of righteousness and walk out our lives in a way that is fruitful and abundant. Jesus showed us what faith is, and He demonstrated what an abundant life can be. Finally, Peter saw Jesus literally live out His life and sums this up for us:
2 Peter 1:10-11: “10Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” (NASB)
Jesus never wavered from His life’s course. In the very night He was betrayed, He again affirmed that God’s heart was to have people know both Him and His Father!
John 17:1-5: 1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” (NIV)
We must grasp the knowledge that we are indeed “partakers” in God’s kingdom and as such we are sharers of His nature! Big WOW!
Lord God, help us to walk within your righteousness forsaking the lust of the flesh and producing fruit worthy of your sacrifice. Thank you for calling us from darkness and into your marvelous light. Blessed be Your name now and forever. Amen
