This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Growing in Grace.” After taking his time to drive home the fact that believers should grow in grace by growing in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle Peter said the following:
“Because the stakes are so high, even though you’re up-to-date on all this truth and practice it inside and out, I’m not going to let up for a minute in calling you to attention before it. This is the post to which I’ve been assigned—keeping you alert with frequent reminders—and I’m sticking to it as long as I live. I know that I’m to die soon; the Master has made that quite clear to me. And so I am especially eager that you have all this down in black and white so that after I die, you’ll have it for ready reference” (2 Peter 1:12-15 Message Bible). We started to walk through this passage yesterday. Today we will focus in on the statement: “I know that I’m to die soon; the Master has made that quite clear to me. And so I am especially eager that you have all this down in black and white so that after I die, you’ll have it for ready reference”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. You have a tailor-made assignment. God took a fisherman, Peter, and used him to preach the Gospel to the most educated men of his day. God took an extremely educated man, Paul, and used him to preach the Gospel to common men. God took a Dominican kid from Brooklyn, me, and has used me to preach the Gospel all over the world, to all sorts of people, and He uses me to share His Word in written form, in English, even though English is a second-language for me. My point is that God gives each and every one of us a unique and tailor-made assignment. He calls us to do something He did not call anyone else to do. No one else has your fingerprint, voiceprint, eye signature, or divine assignment. No one else can be you, nor can you be anyone else. Since you can only be YOU, then you might as well be the best YOU that you can be. Accept your tailor-made assignment, because along with the calling, God has already given you the grace to complete it!
2. The Father will tell you what you need to know in order maximize your purpose. Peter said, “I know that I’m to die soon; the Master has made that quite clear to me.” The Father revealed to Peter everything he needed to know in order to complete his divine assignment. God reveals things to me that I need to know, and He will do the same for you. God may not tell you everything, but He will surely tell you what you need to know in order to make the most of your time in the earth.
3. Have a sense of urgency concerning your purpose. Peter knew his time on the earth was drawing to an end, so he said, “I am especially eager that you have all this down in black and white so that after I die, you’ll have it for ready reference.” You can feel the sense of urgency in his writing. The Father wants us to be serious about our commitment to His plans and purposes. This is not to say that we can accomplish them in our own might or that we should seek to strive forward in human effort. No, it should be clear to you by now that you cannot accomplish God’s will without His grace, but my point is that you should ‘be about’ your Father’s business and don’t waste time. You don’t know how much time you have left on the earth (unless the Lord tells you), so stop procrastinating and GET TO IT!
4. God is too big of a God to just focus on you. Your purpose is not really about you. It is about impacting others and leaving a legacy of righteousness. Peter said, “So that after I die, you’ll have it for ready reference.” Peter knew his days were numbered. So do you think Peter went on one last vacation? Did Peter break out his ‘bucket list’? Did Peter go out and party like it was 1999? No, Peter focused on leaving a legacy. Peter knew God wanted to use him to impact people for generations to come. We are learning from Peter over 2,000 years after his death. See, God is too big of a God to just focus on you. When He looks at you He sees your children and your children’s children. God wants to use you to make an impact that will outlive you. Not by your power, but by His grace. And all He is asking of you is your cooperation. If you say, “Yes,” God will use you to change the world!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for making plans for me before the world began. You have given me a tailor-made assignment. No one else has ever been born, nor will ever be born, with my fingerprint, voiceprint, or divine assignment. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am unique and special in Your eyes. I am called to do what no one else is called to do, and along with the calling You have already given me the grace to complete it. So I tap into that grace and I live my life with a sense of urgency. I don’t know how much time I have left (unless you tell me), so I won’t waste time dillydallying. I am focused on my purpose and I seek Your direction. You won’t tell me everything all at once, but You will reveal to me what I need to know in order to maximize this season. I live my life in seasons, I make the most of each one by Your grace, and every day I get incrementally closer to Your overall expected end for my life. I appreciate the fact that You allow me to enjoy life, to have vacations, and to rest. But the focus of my life is not partying, it is my purpose. I will leave a legacy of righteousness for my children and my children’s children. The impact You make through me will last for generations to come. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
