Connect360: Everything We Need

• Lesson One in the Connect360 unit “Find Us Faithful: Standing Firm in Our Faith” focuses on 2 Peter 1:1-4

When we know Jesus as Christ, Savior and Lord, we receive all his precious promises.

As we grow in our knowledge of him, we will begin to look more like him and less like the world.

John 1:12–13 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God (NASB).”

As God’s children, we share his characteristics and have escaped the world’s corruption, which is caused by our sinful nature.

Children share traits with their parents. Some are a product of nature because we are born with them.

Physically, we could look like them, or we may share certain personality traits.

Then, other characteristics come through a growing and nurturing relationship.

As we spend time with our parents, watching and listening to them, we begin walking, talking and doing things the way they do.

As God’s children, we partake in his divine nature. But the more time we spend with him listening and following him, the less we will look like the world and the more we will be like him.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1) and receive the gifts the Father longs to give his children.

First Corinthians 2:12 says, “Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.” So, take hold of his precious promise.

We gave our children gift cards in their Christmas stockings this year.

The girls spent their cards quickly. But the boys could not decide and ended up walking out of the store with the cards in their pockets and nothing in their hands.

All four thankfully received their cards, but until they purchased something with them, our gift was wasted. We paid the price for nothing.

Receiving Jesus is no different. He paid for the sins of every person in the world. Your life has already been bought. So, what will you do with his purchase? Will you live for the One who died for you? Will you claim the promises he has for those who call Jesus their Savior? He is offering you everything pertaining to life and godliness. Will you take it and use it for his good pleasure?

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