More Than Forgiven: Living By the Spirit (2 Peter 1:2-4)
When we think of Christianity, forgiveness is often the first thing that comes to mind. And that’s true—through Jesus, every sin is wiped clean. But it’s not the whole story. Forgiveness clears the way for something bigger: new life.
God doesn’t just cancel our debt; He moves in and changes the way we live.
Jesus says we must be born again or born from above (John 3). In other words, we are made children of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and given power to live differently. God doesn’t just cancel our debt; He moves in and changes the way we live.
This is exactly what Peter wants us to see in 2 Peter 1:2–4.
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
Grace is God’s undeserved favor. Peace is the wholeness of knowing we’re right with Him. But notice—they don’t stay static. They multiply as we grow in knowing Christ. This is relational: the more we know Jesus personally—His character, His promises—the more grace and peace expand in our hearts. If you’ve felt restless or anxious in your faith, Peter says: draw closer to Jesus!
“… Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
Notice that: everything. Not a few tools if you’re extra nice. God’s divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life in every circumstance. Even if you feel like you’ve failed, even if you haven’t seen much change yet, this promise stands. You have access to Christ’s power for what you need today.
Even if you feel like you’ve failed, even if you haven’t seen much change yet, this promise stands. You have access to Christ’s power for what you need today.
And how do we receive it? “Through the true knowledge of Him.” Again, it’s not formulas or self-help strategies. It’s through true, real, accurate, living knowledge of Jesus—walking with Him, trusting Him.
“… Who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises…”
What are “these”? Jesus’ perfect glory and excellence. His eternal past, His perfect life, His saving work, His excellent character. Based on who He is, we are given God’s precious and magnificent promises.
And what promises they are:
- Total forgiveness of sin
- Perfect standing before God
- No condemnation—ever
- Irrevocable adoption into His family
- The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit
- Spiritual gifts to serve
- Eternal life, secure and unshakable
- A future more glorious than we can imagine
Peter rightly calls these “precious and magnificent” for good reason. They are better than anything the world can offer.
These are God’s promises, certain truths that you can lean on when temptation comes, when shame whispers, when you feel like you can’t change.
So how does this actually play out in daily life? Peter goes on:
“… So that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” (2 Peter 1:4)
This doesn’t mean we become divine, but that God’s Spirit lives in us, and we get to partake in the life of Christ through Him. He lives in us, giving us new desires, new strength, and new power to live differently.
Therefore, old patterns—bitterness, selfishness, lust—don’t have to dominate us. We still feel their pull, but they no longer own us. The prison door is flung open. By trusting God and His promises, we can step into freedom and practice love, patience, kindness, and even self-control.
Making It Real
Suppose you’re about to snap at your spouse or child, but you catch yourself. Praise God. Instead of thinking, I’ll try to be nicer. What if you pause to remember, “God’s Spirit in me produces patience,” and then ask Him for strength in that moment—and act on it?
Or maybe you feel ashamed of past failures. Instead of staying in shame, you take personally God’s promise: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” You preach that truth to your own heart until God lets that peace take root.
You feel powerless against a recurring sin. Instead of giving up or giving in, you remind yourself: “Christ is in me, and He now gives me everything I need for life and godliness.” Faith stirs, and you choose Jesus, taking one small step of obedience and reaching out for accountability, trusting that His power is at work.
In Christ, you can say no. You can live a new life.
Remember, you are forgiven. But more than forgiven, you are born again, filled with the Spirit, and not lacking anything in Christ. Grace and peace increase. God’s power is real in you.