All We Need: How Can I Live for Jesus?

When it is time to change the oil in the vehicles Jackson usually helps me with this task. I will be under the truck and ask him to bring me this tool or that tool. I recently purchased a new tool to assist me in getting the oil filter off the truck. It is a new tool, so Jackson was unfamiliar with it and when I asked him to bring it to me, he did not know that it was in the toolbox. He did not realize we had all we needed to do the job. 

Our spiritual life is much like this. Often, on our journey with Christ, we have times of spiritual amnesia. We forget the blessings that Jesus provides us and the power we have available through him. In doing so, we often miss opportunities for growth and ministry. 

Commenting on our spiritual toolbox, Peter says, 

“His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness,” (2 Peter 1:3). 

This text is deep with a theological impact on our walk with Jesus. 

1. God’s Power Enables Us 

We do not have to go to the spiritual gas pump, nor hook up to a spiritual generator. Both, the gas pump and the generator need to be refilled themselves before giving out fuel. But God himself, the source of all power in the universe, he himself, has given us his very own power. 

Through Jesus, we have conquered death.

Through Jesus, God has enabled us to have victory over sin and any adversary that dares attack his beloved. 

2. God Has Withheld Nothing We Need 

Because our power is drawn from God’s endless supply of power, the logical conclusion Peter makes is that we lack nothing. Notice Peter’s words here, “has given us everything for life and godliness.” 

Beloved, there is nothing you lack to live for the glory of Christ. God desires for you to shine for his glory, therefore, he could not, would not hold anything from you to keep you from doing what brings him both glory and joy. God has supplied you with every tool in the shed, every arsenal in the armory, every utensil in the kitchen to serve him and live for Jesus. 

3. Our Power Comes From Christ 

The power God gives us comes from Jesus. Jesus, who was raised from the dead. Jesus who paid the price for our redemption. Jesus, the conqueror of our sin, is our power. 

Peter makes the point to tell us that the closer we are to Christ, the more fervent our affections for him, the greater the power in us. 

Everything the Father has for us and desires for us comes through the knowledge of Christ. The knowledge which Peter describes here is not simply intellectual knowledge, but full complete knowledge. He is telling us of a knowledge that knows Jesus, and what we know about Jesus makes us want to know him all the more. The result of a deeper knowledge of Christ is his power being manifest in our lives. 

4. We Are Called for God’s Glory 

Peter closes this verse with the most beautiful of thoughts. God, the perfect and righteous one. The maker of heaven and earth. The redeemer of sinful men. In his sovereign rule, God chose to use the ungodly to bring him glory. How amazing is this! 

Yes, we are called to bring glory to God. Our lives are given all we need to live for Jesus so that we may bring him glory here and now and, in the age to come. 

Today, you may feel like you can’t make it; like another step seems too much. Maybe sin has been the victor over your life for what seems like forever. Perhaps your drive to serve has seen more fervent days. 

Beloved, be reminded that God, in His goodness and for his glory, has called you to himself through Jesus. He has given you access to all of heaven that you might achieve the goal set before you. Know that in Christ, you truly cannot lose. 

God Bless, 

BD