“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Peter, who had faced many challenges as a follower of Jesus Christ, reminds the church of God’s power and His nature, which provides the ability to live a godly life and overcome our sinful desires. This is found in the promise of Jesus, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10b) While this is what God has brought to us through Jesus, we must be willing to receive it. It is available for us. We must come and apply it. Peter would express to the church how to do it.

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:4-8)

As we grow and develop as followers of Jesus, we add and mature in all these areas, becoming more like Jesus because we are now building with God’s power and His nature. We cannot grow in our own strength, but we must rely on Him.

When we as believers wander from God’s work in our lives, we need a new infusion of His divine life. Today, we call this infusion revival. Roy Fish, Professor of Evangelism for decades at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, defined revival as follows.

“The Meaning of Revival is an infusion of Divine Life into the Body of Christ which enables the Body to Love Unconditionally, Rejoice Exceedingly, Serve Productively, Live Victoriously, Praise Appropriately, Minister Freely, and Witness Effectively.”

In order for us to live life with the infusion of God’s life, we must learn to abide with God through every day. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Jesus taught us how to do this as Jesus abided with His Heavenly Father. “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.” (John 5:19-20) While we must add to our faith, we have the presence of the Holy Spirit who will teach us everything Jesus taught. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26) God also gave us His Written Word to teach us. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

God has given us everything we need. We need to learn and apply what God has given us. When we do, we will be supplied with God’s Divine infusion of His power and His nature.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block