2 Peter 1 - Prize Winner

2 Peter 1:3 (HCSB), "For 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. By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires."

Do you remember your school days when teams were arranged by 2 "captains" picking one by one? Were you ever the last one picked? Sometimes, like a draft in a professional sport, the ones who don't get picked don't get to play at all. Now let's take that n a different direction. Imagine you are at an event with 100,000 spectators and they are drawing from the ticket holders to give away a wonderful prize. You are the one called our from the crowd and awarded the prize.

That's what Peter is talking about. As a child of God, you are a ticket holder. Your ticket was a free gift, given to you when you accepted Christ as your Savior. The prize is "everything required for life and godliness". God called you out "by His own glory and goodness." You did nothing to earn it and you certainly don't deserve it. Yet, you get the prize!

Why would He give to anyone such a precious prize? Included in the prize are "very great and precious promises." Jesus was the promised Messiah. He paid the price for your ticket. Among the great and precious promises are: eternal life with the Father; having the Holy Spirit in and among us to guide us as we follow God; gifts provided by God to equip us along the way; the knowledge and assurance that God is able and faithful to complete all that He starts in us; and the list could go on and on.

Take refuge that you are a prize winner. YOU have been called by God. And in responding to His call, you will receive "very great and precious promises."