Today we continue our new series entitled, “It’s already done!”, under the banner of the overall series for the year, “Supernatural Manifestation.” A few of weeks ago I introduced you to the following passage. Let’s go back to it today.
In the opening paragraph of the Apostle Peter’s second letter, he said:
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(2 Peter 1:1-4)
We have been gleaning things from this passage for weeks. I like to teach by both precept and example. That being the case, we looked at the example of Abraham yesterday. Today we will look at the actual author this passage, the Apostle Peter.
When Jesus was looking for disciples, men who would spend quality and intimate time with Him, men who were called to continue what He started, Jesus did not look for the most educated, affluent or influential men of His day. Jesus picked simple, ordinary, hard working and industrious men. These men changed the world. They didn’t do it by their strength, power or charisma. They did it by coming into the knowledge of God and then coming into God’s knowledge of them. They did it by believing what God believed about them! Peter is a great example of this. Let’s learn from his life today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- You must discover your purpose. In Jesus’ day the fishing industry produced rough and rugged men. Jesus called several of His disciples from this industry. One of them was named Simon. Simon was not polished, refined, cultured or sophisticated. But like all of us, his destiny was within him. Inside of the fisherman, there was an Apostle lying dormant. Jesus brought him out! Peter came into the knowledge of God and even more importantly, he then came into God’s knowledge of him. As a result, he changed the world! This is why it is so critically important that we get to the point where we believe what God believes about us.
- Once you discover your purpose, you must develop in it and deploy into it. Simon had to die to his identity as a fisherman in order to become an Apostle. He was not perfect. He often made mistakes. He was top-tempered and quick to ‘fly off the handle’, but he was called and he accepted the call. Peter focused on his new assignment, his new life, and his new reality. Will you do the same?
- Godly success is not a matter of more trying, it is actually a matter of more dying. Once you discover God’s knowledge of you, you must be willing to die to become who God called you to be. Simon had to die to self in order to become Peter. Are you willing to die in order to live?
- Dying to self does not mean dying to all that makes you unique. God will use you personality. Peter was rough and boisterous. God did not completely change him. God used Peter’s personality for His glory. God will do the same with you. When you come to God He is not looking to completely strip you of yourself. Your personality is what makes you special. God made you that way. He will use you and your personality for His glory. I am witness. I love my personality and I am thankful that God did not make me change it when I came to Him. God uses me, ALL OF ME, my Brooklynisms and all, for His glory and He will do the same with you. God can share His power through your personality for His glory. Let Him do it!
- God is not looking for perfection, but He is looking for authenticity. Peter never tried to be anyone but himself. He was far from perfect, he made a myriad of mistakes, but God was able to anoint his authenticity. God’s anointing only flows through the authentic. God does not validate inauthentic behavior with His blessing. So stop trying to be someone you are not. Believe what God believes about you. When you do, you will love yourself enough to BE a blessing in this world.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I am finally at the point in my life where I believe what You believe about me. I love myself. I am comfortable in my own skin. I know You made me unique. I have discovered what You called me to do. My knowledge of You saved me from hell. But discovering Your knowledge of me has saved me from mediocrity! Now that I know what You believe about me, I am going to change the world! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
