The Christian may believe he needs to look outside Scripture to gain insight into spiritual problems. But this type of thinking must cease as God has given what we need. Undoubtedly, the Bible will not answer all of life’s questions. However, the Bible never attempts to claim such a feat.
For instance, if someone needed their oil changed, they would either take their car to a mechanic or figure out how to do it themselves. The Proverbs will not give the Christian an answer to the question, “How do I change my oil?” A person will need to look elsewhere for a solution.
But the Bible does make certain claims. Scripture says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (KJV, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Here we see that the Bible claims to be sufficient in maturing someone unto godliness. The belief that the Bible is enough and people do not need to look outside of Scripture to grow spiritually is often referred to as the sufficiency of Scripture.
While the Bible is not sufficient to tell someone how to change their oil, change a flat tire, or how to travel from Maine to Maryland, it is sufficient to instruct the Christian in how to live a life that is pleasing to God.
The Christian will see that Peter affirms such thinking concerning the sufficiency of Scripture.
Divine power
Peter tells the reader, “According as his divine power…” (2 Pet. 1:3). Second Peter 1:3 must be traversed slowly. Peter starts the verse by speaking of God’s divine power, and the reader must be made aware of what is at stake in the text.
God is said to be powerful all throughout Scripture. For example, toward the end of Abram’s life, God spoke to Abram and said, “…I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Gen. 17:1). In Genesis 17, God had yet to bless Abram with a promised son. However, God had told Abram that He was the Almighty God and thus that all things were possible with God.
It was to the Almighty God that Abram looked when the Bible says, “Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be” (Rom. 4:18). When Abram was in his nineties, he continued to look to God as the Almighty God Who could give him his promised son. He hoped against hope. He looked upward and found his place of rest in God.
But as one approaches the New Testament, God’s divine power is most clearly displayed in the resurrection of Christ and the Gospel message. Paul says, “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ…” (Rom. 16:25). While Jews seek signs and Greeks seek wisdom, Christ has been given to mankind as both the wisdom and power of God. God’s divine power is nothing short of miraculous.
Life and godliness
As Peter continues, the reader begins to see yet again the sufficiency of Scripture. Peter says, “According to his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” (2 Pet. 1:3). God has given the Christian everything he needs to live a godly life. Elsewhere Paul has said, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldy lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11). Thus, the grace of God has come for the express purpose of transforming the believer from ungodliness to godliness.
The Christian must never think that godliness is for the world to come. God has saved the believer to promote holiness in his life in the here and now. Peter tells the reader that God has given the Christian everything he needs for life and godliness. Peter does not say that God has given the Christian most things or some things, and now the Christian needs to seek out knowledge elsewhere to find the piece to his missing puzzle.
It is essential to realize when the words of Peter were written as well. When Peter was alive and wrote 2 Peter, what was true was that God had given the Christian everything he needed to live a godly life. Thus, modern man’s many new ideas, philosophies, and practices were not missing in Peter’s life. The modern-day Christian does not need the remedies of the current culture to bring about growth in grace. He need only look to the ancient paths and walk upon them.
Knowledge
Peter tells the reader of an important implication of what he previously said. He says, “According to his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us…” (2 Pet. 1:3). As the verse continues, the reader is made aware that God gives everything pertaining to life and godliness by His power, but it all comes through a knowledge of the One Who has called the Christian. Herein, the reader is introduced to Jesus Christ.
All things that pertain to life and godliness can be summed up in one word, “Jesus.” He is the One Who gives life. He is the One Who makes the Christian godly. But, at this point, the reader must beware. The reason being is that many have traveled down the path of Christ’s work and fallen short of what is at stake.
Jesus does not only make someone alive from the dead but promotes spiritual life in actual living. Jesus does not simply make someone positionally holy and godly before the throne and face of God but practically holy and godly.
Yes, the Gospel teaches that the righteousness of Christ has been granted to the believer. However, the Bible also says, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). Jesus Christ is everything to the believer. He does not only save from God’s wrath but also from sin’s power. Therefore, Christ is Who the believer needs to live a godly life. The closer someone is to Jesus, the more his life will reflect this reality.
Elsewhere John has said that Jesus is the Vine. He tells the reader, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4-5). Jesus gives His life-giving sap to the branch so that the branch will bear fruit unto godliness.
Glory and excellence
Finally, Peter says that Jesus has called the believer to “glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3). Jesus has called the believer to a high calling. He has called the believer by His own glory and excellence. When Christ came into the world, He came as the God-Man, one hundred percent God and one hundred percent man. Therefore, when someone speaks of Christ in their presentation of the Gospel, the God-Man must be championed.
Jesus is glorious and excellent. He is the Lord and God of the universe. He has come to save His people from their sins and to deliver them from the present evil age. It is through knowledge of Christ that has affected the heart that change will come. Scripture says, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you” (Rom. 6:17). When the doctrines of Christ move from head knowledge to heart knowledge, obedience will flow from the heart.
Final prayer
Father, thank you for giving me all I need for life and godliness through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has become wisdom, sanctification, redemption, and righteousness to me. His life has been given to me, and He Who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. Teach me to look to Jesus this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.