God Empowers Us out of the Riches of Christ’s Glory
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:19-20)
I trust you have seen by now that Christlikeness is God’s ultimate goal for us. (1 John 3:1-3; Romans 8:28-29) He desires that we reflect His glory in an accurate way, and that is only possible as we are transformed into the image of Christ. We are not left to follow Christ’s perfect example in our own strength. God, instead graciously gives us all that we need to know and follow Christ out of the inexhaustible riches of His glory.
The Holy Spirit is in the process of bearing the fruit of love within the hearts and lives of believers. God desires that we be full of His love, joy, peace, kindness, and patience just as Christ possesses all of the aspects of this fruit in perfection. This is a process, and God graciously gives us everything we need at the exact moment we need it in order to grow in Christ’s love and likeness.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-11)
Study it Out
- According to the passage above, how do we access the divine power God promises to us?
- Knowing God’s purpose for us is Christlikeness, how should this mindset change our prayers for ourselves and others? See Ephesians 3:14-21 and Luke 11:1-12.
- How might this truth also change your mindset on the “needs” He promises to supply according to Philippians 4? Be sure to read the entire passage for context.
- What comfort does Hebrews 4:14-16 provide in relation to our need and God’s willing provision?