One Thing Needful

2 Peter 1:3 – For His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness…

Dane Electric is the last of our T-shirt sponsors we’ve had for the week. Their motto is: Professional Service with Integrity. For someone to be described as “professional” in what they do, they must possess both knowledge and skill. To call someone “a professional” means they practice their profession as an occupation or a means of livelihood or gain. The question is: do you practice your “profession” in Christ as a means of livelihood or gain? Scripture teaches us that godliness is great gain. (I Timothy 6:6) Do you possess the knowledge and skill to cultivate godliness in your life? If you know Christ, you do. Everything required for life and godliness has already been given to us by the power of Jesus Christ. Everything! That means we lack nothing in our quest to be like Him. If you read the rest of our text verse you find that it’s through our knowledge of Him that we have what we need to live. The actual channel by which we receive everything we need for life and godliness is our knowledge of Him who called us by His glory and goodness. It’s through His glory and His goodness that He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:4) When in the midst of our service to God in the world we keep ourselves from being polluted by the world, according to the book of James, we are practicing religion that is pure and faultless and accepted by God. That’s where integrity comes in—in keeping ourselves unspotted by the world. At times that may seem like an impossible task. I’m sure you all are faced with situations at school, maybe even at home which challenge the integrity of your commitment to know Christ. Don’t give up! Look to Christ. When you think you know what to do, look to Christ. When you come to the end of yourself and you don’t know what to do, look to Christ. Always look to Christ. He gives strength to the powerless, you know. And all the power, everything you need is found in Him. In the days and years ahead, may you not soon forget PowerTour ’07 and the awesome things God did in and through you. Remember Philippians 4:13, I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

THINK ABOUT IT: What will you take back with you to Oklahoma City? Are you the same person you were when we left 6 days ago? What events stand out to you as evidence of the power of God?