The Knowledge of God

by Tom Brown

This blog entry is part of a series through the book of 2nd Peter.

Text: 2 Peter 1:2

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”

The Source Of True Grace & Peace
"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God…” This verse concludes Peter’s greeting for the letter. The blessing of true grace and true peace in the life of a believer comes through real knowledge of the living God. The more we come to understand who our God is, the more we realize how minuscule our troubles are. Which is also to say that the less we know of who our God is, the more menacing and threatening our problems will seem. Peter wants to be a vessel for the fulfillment of the very blessing he just pronounced. He wants to increase our knowledge of God through the contents of his letter, and if we have ears to hear it, and by the help of the Spirit of God, that is exactly what we will do. 

Of all the wonderful blessings Peter could mention, why does he choose, “grace and peace?” I believe Peter chooses these two attributes because they are the most foundational truths in the life of every christian. In other words, if you have any understanding of God at all you will know of his grace. Jesus, our Savior, is the “image of the invisible God.” He is the “exact imprint of [God’s] nature.” He is “Emmanuel.” Jesus even teaches this truth about himself in the Gospel of John, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Therefore, the way we come to know the God of grace is through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son. And if you know of his grace, your heart will undoubtedly find peace—resting in the unchangeable promises of the Almighty.

But, what does it look like for grace to be multiplied? I believe Peter has the same goal in mind that we have in using a telescope. A telescope does not help a blind person see, but rather it multiplies the vision of someone who can already see. With the use of a telescope the person's vision is far more clear. Peter has in mind that our vision of God’s abundant grace might be multiplied in a similar way. He wants us to see more clearly the innumerable blessings that abound. He wants us to become intoxicated by the unmerited favor that has been poured out into our lives. Multiplied grace is another way of saying that he wants our hearts to take a more heavenly perspective, to measure every circumstance of life by the finished work of God's Son.

And what is the result? Peace. Indomitable peace abounds in the life of every true believer because we have gained knowledge of the depths of the riches of the mercies of our God. Our sin did not repel him. The grave could not keep him. He has done all things necessary for our eternal peace! What are we to fear? "If God is for us who can be against us?” The tempest of life in this fallen world will beat and batter every human heart, but the true believer will not be overcome. Why? Because the knowledge of God proves to be a sure anchor for the soul. To know God is to know his grace. To know his grace is to experience his peace. Truly, “He keeps him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him." Therefore, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” 

Let us stop at nothing to know him, and to know him more!