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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)

This set of verses picks up right where we left off yesterday. \xa0Gifts, gifts, and more gifts. \xa0We are totally overrun by God\u2019s gifts in these opening verses.

We are given \u201ceverything we need for a godly life.\u201d \xa0We are given a calling sheerly based upon Jesus\u2019 own \u201cglory and goodness.\u201d \xa0We are given his \u201cvery great and precious promises\u201d which springs us free from the corruption of our evil desires and permits us to participate with God himself instead in this journey of being conformed to Christ.

Pastor Michael alluded to it yesterday, but it\u2019s worth underscoring a couple times here again. \xa0Nothing in our world works this way that God works. \xa0In the world we live in\u2014nothing is for free. \xa0Everything comes at a cost, and so every interaction implies a transaction. \xa0We give of our work only so that our employer or customers will give of their money in return. \xa0When we give of our money, we always expect a return\u2014a product, a service, or something similar. \xa0Even our generosity goes this way\u2014we give in order to help someone. \xa0If those we help do not respond to our help with gratitude and/or a changed life that gives us a sense of \u201cimpact,\u201d we tend to re-evaluate the nature of our giving.

So when it comes to faith\u2014we expect God to operate the same way. \xa0This can manifest in a couple different ways. \xa0Firstly\u2014it can show up in our guilt. \xa0If we find that our own response to God is lacking, we feel sheepish or even ashamed to come back to his presence asking again for forgiveness. \xa0We assume God will treat us like everyone else does, or like we tend to treat others. \xa0When we don\u2019t shape up, we assume God will ship us out. \xa0We cannot be worthy or deserving of such continual gifts of grace and forgiveness as he intends to offer.

It\u2019s true: we aren\u2019t worthy nor deserving. \xa0God gives us these gifts not because of who we are, but because of who he is. \xa0He has called us \u201cby his own glory and goodness,\u201d not our own. \xa0

It can happen the other way too, though. \xa0If we find that we aren\u2019t being terribly \u201cimpacted\u201d by church, by worship, or by the community of church people\u2014we can quickly assume that we must not be \u201cgetting much out of it.\u201d \xa0In other words, we\u2019re paying more time, attention, and obedience than we\u2019re being paid back in rewards.

In this case, we\u2019ve lost sight of the larger movements of God\u2019s economy. \xa0Our own narrow sense of microeconomics has missed the macroeconomic reality of God\u2019s \u201ceverything.\u201d \xa0This is indeed the danger of our modern world. \xa0It\u2019s flat. \xa0No \u201cdivine power,\u201d \u201cnature,\u201d or \u201cgivens\u201d remain visible to our perception, and therefore also not to our ledgers. \xa0That, and the lifetime of growing into a \u201cgodly life\u201d takes place over such a long time frame such that it seems immaterial to our day to day lives. \xa0

Only with time and the wisdom that comes from the hardships and sorrows of broken promises, failed callings, and corrupt desires do we begin to discover that the gifts of God that lead us onward toward a life that smells like Jesus is the most material asset we might ever hold. \xa0Wouldn\u2019t you know it\u2014whether it takes us a long time or a little to clue in to the value of this asset\u2014the cost is just the same. \xa0Free. \xa0Its\u2019 free. \xa0A gift of God that was always ours for the receiving. \xa0No time like the present. \xa0Are you in?

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master. Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory to the Master, now and forever! Amen! (2 Peter 1:2; 3:18).