Key Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.”
This morning, I have been meditating on this magnificent verse from 2 Peter 1:3. The HCSB translation reminds us that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him.
What strikes me is that knowing God is not merely about acquiring spiritual knowledge. It is about entering into a relationship with Him that transforms how we think, live, work, and love.
And the more deeply we know Him, the more His wisdom and character should become evident in every area of our lives.
What Does It Mean to Know God?
What does knowledge of God mean?
Those of us who have studied French, German, or Dutch will appreciate that there are different kinds of knowledge. One is intellectual knowledge, where we know about something. The other comes from a deeply personal relationship with someone, through familiarity, closeness, and shared experiences.
It is this relational knowledge that moves us into deeper trust, where we begin to lean the entire weight of our lives on the One we have come to know.
Did you know that some compilations identify over 900 names, titles, and descriptions of God in the Bible? Each gives us a glimpse into His nature and character.
But knowing His names intellectually is not the same as knowing Him personally.
If I were to ask you today to describe how you have come to know Him through an intimate relationship, through experiencing life with Him, what would you say?
The depth of our relationship with God should increasingly shape the way we live.
The Beginning of Wisdom
How do we grow in this knowledge of Him?
Proverbs 9:10 says:
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Reverence for God and a holy awe of who He is are our starting points!
There is a wisdom that the world offers, and there is a distinct wisdom that comes from God. His wisdom has an eternal perspective and is rooted in reverence for Him.
But God’s wisdom is not confined to spiritual understanding. It can also be expressed through exceptional ability, creativity, discernment, and practical excellence.
Consider Daniel.
When Daniel determined in his heart not to defile himself with the Babylonian king’s food, God honoured his faithfulness. Daniel and his friends were found healthier and better nourished than those who ate the king’s food.
God also gave them exceptional knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.
Daniel 1:19–20 says this:
“The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.”
Their wisdom was not merely intellectual. It enabled them to serve with exceptional ability and sound judgment in a complex environment.
God’s Wisdom: Beyond Knowledge to Creative Excellence
Did you know that the Hebrew word for wisdom, chokmah (חָכְמָה), encompasses far more than intellectual understanding? It also describes practical skill, craftsmanship, and the ability to produce work of exceptional quality.
In Exodus 31, God filled Bezalel with His Spirit, giving him wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and extraordinary creative abilities to design and craft the Tabernacle.
Think about that for a moment!
God’s wisdom was expressed through the work of Bezalel’s hands. It was not merely something he knew, but something he could do!
And this is what excites me about knowing God intimately. His wisdom is not limited to our quiet times or our understanding of Scripture. It can shape how we approach our professions, solve problems, create, lead, and serve others.
But here is something important we must not overlook.
A person may demonstrate extraordinary professional creativity and skill yet lack humility, compassion, or love.
Biblical spiritual maturity calls for both: excellence in what we do and Christlikeness in who we become.
After all, what good is exceptional knowledge, creativity, or professional achievement if our lives do not reflect the character of Christ?
God’s wisdom is not simply about what we can accomplish. It must also shape the motives behind our actions and the way we treat others.
True fruitfulness is not simply about doing extraordinary things. It is about allowing God to do His extraordinary work in and through us, for His glory!
Godly Wisdom Versus Worldly Wisdom
How, then, do we recognise wisdom that truly comes from God?
James 3:17 says:
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
Sit with that checklist for a moment.
Notice that James does not measure godly wisdom merely by intelligence, creativity, or accomplishments. He describes qualities of character.
The hallmark of godly wisdom is humility. It is not about drawing attention to ourselves but about being His hands and feet. As we tarry in the presence of our Holy God, He refines us, purifies us, and fashions us into vessels of honour, increasingly surrendered to Him.
The Bible also describes worldly wisdom in James 3:13–16:
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
Notice how James exposes the heart behind this kind of worldly wisdom: bitter envy, selfish ambition, and the desire to elevate ourselves above others.
It is possible to appear wise, capable, and successful in the eyes of the world while being driven by motives contrary to God’s character.
God sees beyond our accomplishments to the motives behind them.
I am reminded of King Saul and King David.
Saul was appointed king, yet his pride, fear of people, and repeated disobedience ultimately led to the rejection of his kingship. When confronted with his failures, he often shifted blame, rationalised his actions, and made excuses.
David was not without serious sin either. Yet when confronted with his wrongdoing, he demonstrated a heart of repentance before God.
In Psalm 51:4, David says:
“Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.”
What a contrast between a heart concerned with preserving its reputation and one that is broken before God!
Which one are you? What would those around you say about your character, your motives, and the way you deal with situations and people?
Because knowing God should not merely make us more knowledgeable or capable. It should make us more like Him.
The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ
This brings me back to the words of Proverbs 9:10: knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
The world’s pursuit of achievement, recognition, and personal success can so easily become an end in itself. I know something about that pursuit.
I have spent over two decades actively investing in my professional education, receiving training and working alongside some of the finest and world-renowned thought leaders in cross-cultural management and leadership.
Yet, in recent years, as God has taken me on this deeper journey with Him, I have come to realise, as Paul did, that all this knowledge and achievement pales into insignificance compared with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
In Philippians 3:8, Paul describes everything else as worthless compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord.
What a perspective!
This does not mean that professional knowledge, creativity, or excellence have no value. Rather, their value must be understood in light of something infinitely greater: knowing Christ Himself.
The more I press into Him through deep, intimate fellowship, the more I am overwhelmed by how vast and magnificent He is, and how little I truly know Him! What I once considered valuable increasingly seems like worthless garbage in comparison with the immeasurable treasure of knowing Him!
Even a lifetime spent pursuing Him would never exhaust the depths of His nature and character. He is infinitely greater than our human understanding!
And as my knowledge of Him deepens, so does my confidence in trusting Him with every part of my life.
Leaning the Entire Weight of Our Lives on Him
The more I know Him, the more confident I become in leaning the entire weight of my life on Him, even when my circumstances remain unchanged.
My needs do not disappear. But my reliance on my all-sufficient God changes how I walk through life’s challenges.
He gives me His strength when I have none.
He sees me through when nothing makes sense.
He speaks for me when I have no words to say.
He vindicates me when false accusations are made against me, sometimes without even my knowledge.
He restores me when I am sorrowful.
He walks with me through times of sickness, when I do not have enough strength to care for my family or fulfil my daily responsibilities.
He reassures me when I am overwhelmed.
This God of ours is personal. He loves us unconditionally, cares for us deeply, and has our best interests in mind.
Always.
The sons of Korah recognised the sheer magnitude and privilege of being in His presence when they penned these words in Psalm 84:10:
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.”
What a remarkable declaration, especially when we remember the history associated with their ancestor Korah, whose rebellion against God brought devastating judgment in Numbers 16. Yet Numbers 26:11 tells us that the sons of Korah did not die.
What a powerful contrast between Korah, who sought position and privilege, and his descendants, whose psalm celebrates the surpassing privilege of dwelling in God’s presence!
The greatest treasure we can pursue is not position, recognition, or earthly success, but God Himself.
And it is through knowing this magnificent God that we receive everything necessary to live a life that honours Him.
And one of the things I am discovering as I grow in knowing Him is how much He has to teach me about myself and the way I live!
There is so much we do not know or understand, especially when we have grown up in environments where unhealthy patterns of behaviour were considered normal.
Things like knowing what a healthy relationship looks like, setting boundaries, emotional maturity, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or working ourselves to the bone at the expense of our own health. I have struggled with many of these things myself, and some of them I did not even recognise until much later in life!
God has taken me through some very painful experiences over the years. And through them, He has been showing me things about myself that I never knew or understood. Things that needed to change in me. He has been teaching me to forgive, to extend grace, but also to exercise wisdom and discernment in my relationships.
And recently, I have seen Him work in situations that I had thought were beyond repair! I am still amazed at how He works, often in ways we could never have planned or imagined.
It has not been easy. And I am still learning! But when I look back, I can see how much God has been teaching me and growing me in my character through all these experiences.
What I find so precious is that He has never abandoned me through any of it. He has been faithful to His Word, even when I did not understand what He was doing.
And it makes me realise how much I still need to grow in knowing Him, trusting Him, and becoming more like Him.
Everything We Need Has Already Been Given to Us
Friends, let us return to the magnificent promise in 2 Peter 1:3.
2 Peter 1:3 (AMP) says:
“For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
What an extraordinary promise!
God has already provided everything necessary for life and godliness through His divine power. As we grow in our knowledge of Jesus, we learn to live in response to what He has given us.
2 Peter 1:4 tells us that through His glory and excellence, God has given us great and precious promises. Through these promises, we are enabled to participate in His divine nature and escape the corruption of the world caused by sinful desires.
His promises are not merely truths to admire. They call for a response that increasingly transforms our lives to reflect His character rather than the values of a corrupt, self-focused world.
And Peter goes on to show us what this transformation should look like.
Growing in Spiritual Maturity: A Heart Check
2 Peter 1:5–7 begins with this exhortation:
“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises.”
Peter then calls us to supplement our faith with moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and ultimately, love for everyone.
Friends, it’s time for another heart check!
When others interact with you, do they encounter these qualities?
- Moral excellence: Choosing to do what is right and good, even when it is difficult or no one is watching. It means living in a way that reflects the goodness of Christ.
- Knowledge: Growing in our understanding of what God says is right and wrong, learning what pleases Him, and using that understanding to make wise decisions in everyday life.
- Self-control: Learning to say no to sinful desires, unhealthy impulses, and wrong reactions, rather than allowing our feelings or desires to control what we say and do.
- Patient endurance: Continuing to trust and obey God, even when life is difficult, prayers seem unanswered, or we face suffering and opposition. It means not giving up when our faith is tested.
- Godliness: Living with deep respect and devotion towards God, allowing our love for Him to shape our attitudes, choices, and the way we treat others.
- Brotherly affection: Showing genuine warmth, care, kindness, and concern for fellow believers, treating them as members of our own family.
- Love for others (agape): Choosing to seek what is truly good for others, even when it costs us something, when they cannot repay us, or when they have hurt us. It is love expressed through our actions, not merely our feelings.
If the people who know us best were asked whether we are becoming more patient, humble, self-controlled, and loving, would their answers agree with what we believe about ourselves?
Notice how Peter presents these qualities as interconnected expressions of growing spiritual maturity, culminating in agape love.
Faith is our starting point, but it is not where we are meant to remain.
And this is where our spiritual maturity is truly tested.
It is relatively easy to show affection towards those we naturally connect with, those who understand us, and those who love us in return.
But God’s agape love reaches beyond what comes naturally. It calls us to love those outside our inner circle, those we struggle to understand, and even those whose attitudes or actions challenge us deeply.
This love is not governed by personal preference, convenience, or the response we receive. It is a deliberate, selfless, and sacrificial love that reflects the very heart of Christ.
This is the kind of love God desires to cultivate in us!
The evidence of knowing Him is not simply greater understanding, remarkable abilities, or even impressive accomplishments. It is a life increasingly transformed to reflect His nature and character.
Growing in Fruitfulness Through Knowing Christ
2 Peter 1:8 says this:
“The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Peter goes on to warn that those who fail to develop these qualities are shortsighted or blind, having forgotten that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
He urges believers to be diligent in confirming their calling and election, reminding them that practising these qualities will keep them from falling away and lead to a grand entrance into Christ’s eternal Kingdom.
What a powerful reminder that spiritual maturity is not simply about what we know, but about who we are becoming in Christ!
Our knowledge of Jesus is meant to bear fruit. As His Word shapes our thoughts, attitudes, and actions, our faith becomes more than something we profess. It becomes visible in how we live, serve, and relate to others.
Friends, God takes fruitfulness in our lives seriously.
Yet lasting spiritual fruit cannot be manufactured through sheer willpower or self-reliance. It grows as we surrender our minds, wills, emotions, and every part of our being to Him.
Colossians 1:9 says this:
“We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
What an encouragement!
We do not have to depend on our limited human wisdom. We can ask God for His wisdom and trust Him to guide us.
And that wisdom is not meant to remain hidden within us. It should become visible in the excellence of our work, the integrity of our decisions, the humility of our hearts, and the love we extend to others.
This is the fruit of knowing Him: wisdom that guides our actions, character that reflects His nature, and love that reaches beyond ourselves.
The Greatest Treasure Is Knowing Him
Friends, what an extraordinary privilege it is to know this God personally!
The One who gave Bezalel wisdom to create, Daniel wisdom to discern, and David grace to repent is the same God who invites us into a deep, personal relationship with Him today.
Through knowing Him, our lives can be transformed, not merely in what we know, but in how we think, create, work, lead, serve, and love.
So, press into God. Make time and room for Him. Allow His Word to renew your mind, His Spirit to shape your character, and His love to transform your relationships.
There is a lifetime of adventure awaiting those who choose to walk closely with Him, one that far exceeds anything we could accomplish through human wisdom, logic, or effort alone.
For the greatest treasure is not what we can achieve through knowing God, but the immeasurable privilege of knowing Him!
A Final Heart Check
Friends, as we come to the end of this reflection, let me leave us with one final question.
We may know a great deal about God. We may accomplish extraordinary things in His Name. But are the people around us actually encountering the character and love of Jesus through our lives?
Let us take a moment to bring this question before God and allow Him to search our hearts.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Give me a deep hunger and thirst for You and Your Word. Increase my desire to know You intimately, and give me the grace to place You first in every area of my life.
Search my heart, Lord. Reveal any pride, selfish ambition, or attitudes within me that do not reflect Your character. Help me not merely to grow in knowledge or accomplish great things, but to become more like Jesus in the way I think, speak, act, and treat others.
Take my hand and lead me into the great adventure You have prepared for me. Teach me to trust Your wisdom above my own, to surrender my will to Yours, and to live in a way that honours and glorifies Your Name.
Father, fill me with Your wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and discernment. Just as You gave Daniel wisdom and Bezalel extraordinary skill and creativity, equip me with everything I need to fulfil the purposes You have prepared for me. Let Your wisdom guide my decisions, inspire my creativity, shape my work, and help me find solutions to the challenges before me. May Your knowledge and understanding be evident in everything I do, so that I may serve others well, touch lives for Your glory, and be a blessing wherever You place me.
Grow me and mature me so that my character increasingly reflects Yours. Let Your love be evident in my thoughts, words, actions, and relationships, especially towards those I find difficult to love, so that others may see You through the way I live.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Here’s a song of adoration to the Lord!
Friends, the more I come to know this wonderful, magnificent God, the more I realise how much there is to discover about Him! What an extraordinary privilege it is to know Him personally!
May this beautiful song by Don Moen lead us into a deeper place of worship and adoration of the One who is worthy of it all!