7. What is given to us to enable us to become partakers of the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world? 2 Peter 1:3-4.
NOTE: ‘It is impossible for a man to live a different life with the old life that he has been living. In order to live a different life, he must have a different life. “An evil man, out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil.” Luke 6:45. So when a man promises to do good out of the evil that is within him, what promises, then, are of any value? The promises of God, and those only. The apostle Peter says of Jesus our Lord, that “His Divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue; whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be made partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3, 4. Here are promises that amount to something. They are the promises of God, confirmed by an oath pledging His existence to their fulfilment. Notice that it is the power of the Lord Jesus Christ that gives us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Then it is certain that men can add nothing to the sum. By His promises all these things become ours. When we have these promises, what is the need of making others of our own, when we have no power to make them good? Not only are our promises unnecessary, but they are harmful, because they shut out the promises of God. They imply that His promises are not sufficient. Surely no one who has any just sense of the exceeding value of the promises of God, will think of supplementing them by worthless promises of his own.’ E. J. Waggoner: Present Truth, February 9, 1893.
8. What are we to do with the promises of God? 2 Corinthians 7:1.
NOTE: ‘The promises of God are to all His children alike. He has no favourites among them, and makes no preference on account of differences in race, colour, wealth, or station. “In every nation, he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness is accepted with Him.” “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” 2 Chronicles 15:9. What then is to hinder the manifestation of the mighty power of God, the power of Him who can do all things, on your behalf? Nothing, except it be your own refusal to let your mind be perfect toward Him, your own refusal to believe that He can and will show Himself strong toward you in spite of the circumstances which seemed destined to make your life a failure. What is it that God will do for us when our heart is perfect toward Him? How will He show Himself strong in our behalf? He may not work as man wishes or desires, but He will always do that which is for the best. He will do what anyone would wish Him to do, could he see his needs with the eye of God. He will show Himself strong on our behalf, not merely in one way, but in all the affairs in which we may need help.’ E. J. Waggoner: Present Truth, October 12, 1893.