As we begin a new year, all followers of Christ should take time to reassess their calling:
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence..." ( 2 Peter 1:3 ESV). God has called us to Himself, a God of glory and excellence.
Since we have been given the ability to believe - what one writer has called the God-awakened capacity to respond fully to Jesus - and we now share in God's divine nature, this results in a newness of life. We now must add to our faith:
"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue..." (2 Peter 1:5 ESV).
We should note that the word excellence in verse 3, and the word virtue in verse 5 come from the same Greek word, meaning moral excellence. When a tool worked correctly it was said to be excellent.
The point is this, when we express an appetite for good, for what pleases God, we are demonstrating that we do indeed share in His divine nature. We are working correctly. When He takes us in His hand as a tool for His glory, may we hear He say, "You're excellent."
