… having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Summary: As we read Peter’s words, it is important to remember that we exist in two forms at once. We are both flesh and spirit.
Peter is not saying that by participating in the “divine nature” we have become perfect. Neither you nor I know of anyone living in this world who qualifies as “perfect.” Instead, Peter is pointing us to the mystery of our salvation through Jesus Christ.
If someone believes in Jesus Christ, if they “know” Jesus as Peter discusses in verse three, then by the power of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, he invites us into a relationship with God. (This is what he calls “participat[ing] in the divine nature.”)
Imagine for a moment that judgment is coming to your town. Any moment fire and burning sulfur will be raining down on your house and every other building. Death and total destruction are certain. Then Jesus touches you on the shoulder, and you turn and see him. He offers you his peace. Do you accept it or turn your back?
The moment you accept Jesus’ offer of salvation, everything changes. It can now be said that you have “escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
Peter is not saying that you have escaped the effects of the corruption around you in this world. Neither does he say that you have escaped from all evil desires.
Remember, we exist in two worlds at the same time.
We have a physical existence that the Bible refers to as “the flesh.” We also have an invisible, spiritual existence. It is the invisible, spiritual realm that we have trouble understanding because we cannot “see” it with our eyes of flesh. Life in the spiritual realm is much different than life in the physical realm. Here in the physical world, we can put on clothes and hide our nakedness. We can also put on airs to hide our insecurity. In the spiritual realm, there is no place to hide.
At some point, the flesh comes to an end. Whether we die in our sleep or go out in a ball of flame, the end of our body is not the end of us. We continue to exist.
Without Jesus, we stand naked before God and everyone else, with all of our sins revealed. Everything you ever did that you thought you had forgotten about or that no one else ever knew about will be on display for you and everyone else to see. If you, while in the flesh, thought you would be able to impress God or anyone else on this side of reality with your accomplishments, that hope is gone. Before God, your worldly “accomplishments” are so many filthy rags.
With Jesus, everything is different.
In Jesus, we are not naked. In Jesus, we are clothed. In Jesus, we are protected. In Jesus, we are justified. In Jesus, we are safe. In Jesus, we have escaped the corruption of the world caused by evil desires.
Application: As long as we live in the flesh, there will be struggles.
Food for Thought: If we can’t escape the world while we still exist in the flesh, what can we do while we wait for that day when we meet our Lord face to face?
What can we do while we wait for that day?
Rejoice in our salvation! Be thankful God has prepared for us a way to be with Him. Do not live in fear of judgement, but understand that beyond the judgement is eternity with Him. Pray; keep our hearts open to His Word and calling. Listen for His voice.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Luke 12:36 And be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Well said, Chris!
I love the emphasis on rejoicing in our salvation, and rejoicing in hope!
09-09-2021, If we can’t escape the world while we still exist in the flesh, what can we do while we wait for that day when we meet our Lord face to face?
Grow through prayer, study and application of God’s Word and utilize His gifts to follow our instructions from Jesus Christ.
Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two.
Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Thank you, Ron!
Nice and concise! 🙂
I think Paul summed it up well in Philippians 3: 7 – 14.
Brother Rich,
Thank you! Verse 13-14 are especially important:
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
As I understand what Paul is saying here: Don’t take anything for granted. Stay focused on Jesus!