Everything that can/could get in the way of God’s relationship with us, has been removed.

seeing 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. 2 Peter 1:3

According to this verse, we have everything that we need for the fullness of life; the abundant life that Jesus promised to us. It is through His divine power that has granted this life to us. I am one who will readily say that I can do anything. I say it is through Christ who strengthens me. But the truth is I cannot do all things.

There are things that I am able to do, that are because of the help of the Spirit at any particular time. There are things that I learn to do through the power of the Spirit in me. There are definitely things that I cannot do. Yet I still have everything that I need to live the life that God desires for me and hsas called me to. The word does say that we should not get involved with things too difficult for us!

I notice in the verse above, that we have everything pertaining to life, and godliness. That is two things. Life, and godliness. I suggest that life includes the spiritual aspect of living as well as the knowledge for practical living. We are not just talking about eternal life, but all, everything we need to live out our everyday practical lives. Yes It may come through the Spiritual, but it is for practical use. Sometimes it seems like it is just common sense to us, but it is not that clear to others. Sometimes we need to take action Spiritually, to find the practical solution to things.

This verse from 2 Peter says we already have been granted everything that we need for life. The way it is put means that we have everything that we need to get the job done as we live out our lives. That also includes the spiritual side of living. We are born of the Spirit. That is our relationship with God has been restored. We have God’s word to guide us, and the Holy Spirit to teach us not only what is written, but to relay to us God’s will direct from God.

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13 NASB1995

Without this help we would not have everything that we need for life and godliness. Part of what we have for our godliness is that we have been made righteous. It is not our own righteousness, that is like filthy rags; It is God’s righteousness, we have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ. We have had our sin removed from us, and the stain of that sin washed clean from us. We are justified before God. Anything, everything that could have got in the way of God’s relationship with us has been removed. Going to say that again.

Everything that can/could get in the way of God’s relationship with us, has been removed.

Sometimes there are things that we allow to get in the way of our relationship with God. Normally we are looking at things with our own understanding. We lean upon the understanding of the world, our friends, others opinions, even the understanding of church doctrines. All of these at some point, we allow to get in the way of our relationship with our God and Father. We forget the grace of God, who has provided for us everything pertaining to life and godliness.

We are told in Hebrews 12 to lay aside every sin and encumbrance that entangles us. Encumbrances are things other than sin, that we allow to get in the way of our relationship with God. It is a choice, we have been granted that choice by the grace of God, in making that choice we are exercising the righteousness of Christ that we have been clothed in, not our own righteousness. 

Charlie