Bible Society of South Africa
Carina Francke

God in us – Day 12

His power enables me to live

Bible text(s)

2 Peter 1

God's Call and Choice

3God's divine power has given us everything we need to live a truly religious life through our knowledge of the one who called us to share in his own glory and goodness. 4In this way he has given us the very great and precious gifts he promised, so that by means of these gifts you may escape from the destructive lust that is in the world, and may come to share the divine nature.

2 Peter 1:3-4GNBOpen in Bible reader

2 Corinthians 10

4The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; 5we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5GNBOpen in Bible reader

The word “life” refers to the physical and spiritual dimensions of our existence. In the physical, we know that someone is alive when he breathes or has movements, but does he really live? Let me explain: he gets up, goes to work, returns home, in passing asks how everyone is (maybe) and goes to bed … day in and day out – a monotonous existence.

To really live is to be on an exploring trip of “life things”; to take a moment to pause and intentionally enjoy the sun coming up; eat your bread with thankfulness; keep your senses sharp to be enriched by the unexpected, but even better, to be someone for other people around you. These are the kind of things that give meaning to your life.

However, life is especially about the spiritual dimension – man’s spirit risen from the dead, because of his faith in and knowledge of Jesus. This relationship deposits God’s power and gifts in your life, which enable you to escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. You are now in possession of weapons that have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself but against God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

You need not bow your knee before temptations anymore – his godly power enables you to resist. You can take control of your wandering and doubting thoughts; you can expose sly, misleading talk for what it is – lies; and you can be freed from anything from the past that keeps you in bondage.

The world need not dictate your lifestyle, preference, emotions and actions anymore. No, you belong to him; you were called by him and his gifts to you are your passport to freedom. Moreover, these gifts enable you to participate in his divine nature, to become like him, so that your life becomes a mirror that increasingly reflects his glory.

Bible Society of South Africav.4.24.4
Find us on