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Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Living in Light of Eternity

In review of 2 Peter 1:3 Peter says, “For as you know him better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living a truly good life: he even shares his own glory and his own goodness with us!” (TLB).

Today’s verse is 2 Peter 1:3 in which Peter tells me that by his divine power, God has given me everything I need for living a godly life. I have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called me to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

What I’m learning is that the power to lead a godly life comes not from within me but from God. Because I don't have the resources to be truly godly, God allows me to "share his divine nature" in order to keep me from sin and help me live for him. When I was committed my life to him, God by his Spirit empowered me with his own goodness.

It seems that the vast majority of people pay no attention to eternity, even myself at times. They live for the here and now, which is a waste, because everything that’s “here and now” isn’t going to matter in five minutes, much less 50 years, and certainly not for eternity. If we stretched a rope from California to Tokyo, and that represented all of eternity, your life on Earth would be represented by less than one millimeter.

In order for me to live in the light of eternity, I need to live for God’s glory, because he’s going to share his glory with me in heaven. The Bible says in 2 Peter 1:3, “For as you know him better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living a truly good life: he even shares his own glory and his own goodness with us!” (TLB).

I don’t get to choose what’s going to happen to me the rest of my life. But I do get to choose how I respond. I can face the future as a cynic, as a critic, as a pessimist, or as a doubter. I can face the future expecting the worst and experiencing the worst. I can face my future being ungracious to other people, and I can live for the glory of myself.

Or I can face the future with gratitude, generosity, and graciousness and live for the glory of God. Which one will make you happier? Which one do I think will make me more successful? Which one do I think will bring a smile to God and the reward of heaven? Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (ESV).

I was created because God wants a family. God wants to spend eternity with his family. God wants to spend eternity with me. Heaven is one of the most important reasons a Christ follower can be joyful. God has given me eternal life, and heaven will be amazing!

Bottom Line:
God will give me everything I need to live a godly life.

What this means to me:
God gives me everything I need to live a godly life. I have received this by coming to know him.

In summary it is by his divine power that God has given me everything I need for living a godly life. The power to live a godly life doesn't come from within me, but rather from God. God allows me to "share his divine nature" in order to keep me from sin and help me live for him. In order for me to live in light of eternity, I need to live for God's glory.

Because I love him, God uses what happens in my life to prepare me for eternity. I need to remind myself of this when I face situations that I’d rather just get out of. I need to look for what he wants to build in me through the situation or experience. It’s also helpful to live my life being grateful and generous as opposed to cynical or critical.

Father I pray this morning for a grateful outlook on life. I want to live for your glory and give you all the credit. I ask for your wisdom and guidance in my work, my leadership and my interaction with others. These things I pray through your Son Jesus name, amen.

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