Manifest Grace x Peace Pt. 2
Original Devotional published by James T. Richardson on Medium March 13, 2026
Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? — Rom 8:32 NLT
It took 15 pages for the Sneetches to realize they were Sneetches whether they had stars or “nars,” and another five to show the Zax that the world goes on without them — so don’t waste time on petty arguments. Another three pages in, and you see the stress of naming each of your 23 children a variant of “Dave.”
But you can’t tell that to the Virginia couple, Carolyn Cousin and Cameron Butts, who named all six of their children variants of “Cameron” in honor of their father. While the first three stories are parables from the genius of Dr. Seuss, the latter is simply the most recent appearance of children sharing the same name.
Many parents strive to avoid the perils of spoiling their children, knowing how it could affect their character and ability to navigate a harsh world later in life. Yet, the Christian faith speaks of a Father who is willing to give His children everything — and has done so for all who maintain the faith, without spoiling them. The gifts this God provides are far more profound and meaningful than any materialistic gift an earthly parent could offer. With that in mind, let’s turn our attention back to the Second Epistle of Peter, specifically verses 3 and 4.
3 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. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. — 2 Peter 1:3–4 NLT
What power is Divine?
The text doesn’t say human, superhuman, political, magical, animal, or alien; it says Divine. For those who may be unacquainted with the term, “Divine” is simply another way of describing God — the most perfect Being imaginable. Because this God possesses perfect power, we call Him “Almighty,” “all-powerful,” or “omnipotent” (or, as revealed by the Holy Spirit, perhaps Her, Them, or It — see Exodus 3:14). This God is so powerful that He could give you everything in the universe with a snap of His fingers. Not only is He this powerful, but He is also perfectly loving and giving: omnibenevolent (Matthew 7:7–8; Luke 12:32–34).
But if He is omnibenevolent, why is there so much poverty in the world? If everything is granted by unmerited favor, why do some seem favored more than others? How is it that half of the world’s population holds only 2% of its global wealth and around 8% of the world’s population live in extreme poverty?
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.
These are difficult questions because poverty is manifold. Are we discussing poverty resulting from a lack of resources or unforeseen mishap (Leviticus 25:35)? Or is it the poverty that comes from intentional self-denial and the giving away of one’s possessions (Matthew 19:16–30)? Are we talking about moral poverty or the “blessed” poverty required to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? The Judeo-Christian paradigm rarely offers easy answers. In many ways, the literal words on the page can even seem to align with certain right-wing political perspectives. (Deuteronomy 15:11; Mark 14:7).
When Jesus invited those who were ‘weary and heavy-burdened’ to take His yoke upon them (Matthew 11:25–30), His audience likely included many slaves. This imagery echoes the principles of servitude found in Jewish law (Leviticus 25:39–55; Deuteronomy 15:7–18), which established specific rights and provisions for those in service. — The Prototype, “Manifesting Grace x Peace Pt. 1”
Acquiring Godly Wealth
granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness… — ESV
If the verses are to be read in good faith, it would seem that God’s perfect benevolence isn’t apparent. There may be good reasons for that.
- God is benevolent according to our needs. Not our wants. (Ps 23:1; Ps 34:9–10)
- God is benevolent only to things in life that makes us godly.
- Many material things detract from us becoming more godly. (Mk 4:18–20; Luk 12:15; Jn 10:10; 1 Tim 6:1–11)
- God gives everything freely while one is in fellowship with God, not other things.
So, what is godliness? Peter uses the Greek word eusebeia, which refers to practical piety — a lived devotion toward God. However, when Peter uses the term, he does so with the understanding that this piety is not a human effort. Rather, it is sustained by God’s own power, intended to be an honest reflection of His holiness.
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. — 2 Peter 3:4b NLT
through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, — 2 Peter 3:4b ESV
Perfect Glory and Character
I have yet to fully realize a perfect, enduring relationship with God. However, I am certain that when Peter speaks of God giving “everything,” he is essentially saying that God is giving Himself to us. Through the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, everything that God is is being bestowed upon us in the form of His glory and attributes. By cross-referencing two translations, we can see the different means by which we experience this multifaceted glory and character.
Knowledge from God (ESV) and God’s glory and excellence (NLT).
The English Standard Version (ESV) uses the Greek word gnosis, which in many contexts is distinct from — and even antithetical to — modern scientific knowledge. Gnosis speaks to an intuitive, experiential, and mystical knowing. The New Living Translation (NLT) complements this by emphasizing that coming to know God is a direct result of God embodying knowledge perfectly; He is omniscient. This reveals God’s glory and excellence as something magnetic, drawing people in not merely to witness His glory, but to become one with it (John 17:5; 22–24).
Wholeness that Separates and Saves
4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. — 2 Peter 1:4a NLT
Moving into the first half of verse 4, Peter explains that it is through His Divine nature — this magnetic, all-encompassing glory — God has granted us “exceedingly great and precious promises.” It is staggering to consider that scholars have cataloged over 3,000 specific promises throughout the biblical canon, ranging from personal peace to the ultimate restoration of all things. (Is 58:12; Jer 30:17) Yet, because God’s nature is infinite and not yet fully known by the present generation, there are likely countless promises still unrevealed, waiting to be “unlocked” as our gnosis of Him deepens. These promises aren’t just contractual obligations; they are extensions of His character, given to us so that we might have a map to navigate the vastness of His heart. (Is 43:18–21)
These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. — 2 Peter 1:4b NLT
The second half of the verse presents a stark contrast: we escape the corruption of the world to become “partakers of the Divine nature.” This suggests that God’s nature is fundamentally separate from the present universe; it operates on a different frequency entirely. Here, Peter’s thought mirrors certain tenets of Buddhism, specifically the idea that worldly desires — tanha or “craving” — lead to suffering and decay. Both paths agree that worldly desires are antithetical to spiritual liberation. However, the Christian paradigm departs from the Buddhist “void.” Christ and Buddha’s paths are similar with Jesus ‘emptying Himself as a slave (Php 2:6–8). Without getting deep into Buddhism, the goal for a practitioner of Buddha seeks detachment from desire to reach Nirvana, and here we see Peter suggesting the Promises in Scripture are designed to help you detach from worldly desire and experience salvation through becoming Christlike. (1 Pet 2:1–11)
It’s tempting to view Peter’s Epistle — and the other letters of the New Testament — as mere dogma to follow. This is especially true as the letter progresses through verses 5–11. Peter uses language here that cannot be fully grasped without intuition. In fact, the understanding I have gained from these passages is so weight-heavy it makes me want to walk away from art altogether.
My next blog will explore these progressive virtues Peter names, what they mean, and the implications we can gather from them. Until then, think about eight “superpowers” you would want that would glorify God. May the love and power of Christ work mightily in you, until His glory arises in your heart and His mighty works are displayed among you in love towards those around you.
I love you.
As Always,
James
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. — 1 Tim 6:17–19
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