“Grace and peace be MULTIPLIED to you THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, and of JESUS OUR LORD…” (II Pet. 1:2)
Grace: the DESIRE and POWER to do God’s will AMY. (Phil. 2:12-13) Peace: HARMONY between man and God, state of REST and CONTENTMENT. (Rom. 5:1)
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.” (Matt. 6:33) Even though these “Things” are necessary, they are only “added”, THEY WILL NOT HELP US GET CLOSER TO THE LORD. PEACE with God, and the desire and power (GRACE) to do His will-WILL MULTIPLY HELP TO US.
How do we do it AMY? “…through the knowledge of God…” ...knowing about God??? Knowledge: epignosis: two words: epi – marked. ginosko – A relation between the person knowing and the person known -or- connection, union AS BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE.
“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And KNEW HER NOT till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called His name Jesus.” (Matt. 1:24, 25)
The result (fruit) of this kind of relationship AMY, or THE MARK OF A HUSBAND/WIFE INTIMACY is a child. No one knows if there is intimacy, but if pregnancy results…EVERYONE KNOWS! Look at what John says: “Now by this we KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him.” (1 John 2:3-4)
THE MARK (FRUIT) OF OUR INTIMACY WITH GOD IS GRACE AND PEACE MULTIPLIED! The more we know Him, the more we WANT TO know Him.
“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM who called us by glory and virtue…(2 Pet. 1:3) He has given us these things, our receiving them depends upon our KNOWLEDGE OF HIM.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has BEGOTTEN US AGAIN TO A LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance INCORRUPTIBLE AND UNDEFILED and that DOES NOT FADE AWAY, reserved in heaven for you, who are KEPT by the POWER OF GOD through faith…” (1 Pet. 1:3-5)
-Bill Stockham