Focus: Divine Bestowals

Text: 2Pet.1:3

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue."

God has bestowed on His people everything that they need to live good and godly in this life. The Greek word for 'given' is dōreomai. The word implies that God has graciously and gratuitously bestowed on us everything that we need for the God-kind of life and the godly living that it entails.

Paul tells us that God "giveth us richly all things to enjoy" (1Tim.6:17).

There are three or so things that God has bestowed on His people, and by the way, it is interesting to know that the word 'bestow' is a compound word of a prefix and a verb. A prefix intensifies a verb. 'Be' is the prefix and it means 'around' or 'over.' The verb is 'stow,' which means 'to place or put in a proper or suitable spot.' It means to put or place something in its proper position or place. It means to devote, give, confer, or to lodge. It also implies alms-giving. In Hebrew, it is the word nâthan, and in the Greek, it is the word didōmi. There are other words in Hebrew and Greek that are synonymous in meaning with the ones already mentioned.

Let us look at a few Scriptures and see what God has graciously, faithfully, carefully and lovingly bestowed on us as His own people. Moses said to the sons of Levi, "Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may BESTOW upon you a blessing this day" (Ex.32:29). 

Three ways that God bestows blessings on His people: through grace, through obedience to His Word, and through righteous action or involvement in a godly cause.

God bestowed His blessing on the Levites for their dedication, consecration and determination. They put their lives on the line for the honor of God. They took God's side and did the unthinkable, even killing their own brothers and neighbors to avoid God's judgment.

The Scripture says, "And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and BESTOWED upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel" (1Chron.29:25). God bestows unprecedented royalty on His people. He has made us His royal priesthood. We are God's kingly priests.

In Isaiah we read, "I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath BESTOWED on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath BESTOWED on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses" (Isa.63:7). The Lord has bestowed on us His great goodness, His loving-kindnesses, His abundant mercies, and much more. God has lodged in our souls the blessings of the cross.

Paul tells us, "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was BESTOWED upon me was not in vain…" (1Cor.15:10). Paul acknowledges the grace that God has given him. Upon him God has bestowed grace, and by that grace he has seen himself laboring more than all others. He says again, "Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia" (2Cor.8:1). Paul sees grace not only on his life, but also on a whole church, and in fact, on the churches of Macedonia. God has gifted us with royal destiny and regal or reigning grace. 

As a church and as individuals we have received grace from our God. We have lodged within the earthen vessels of our body divine treasures from heaven.

With great pleasure John exclaims, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath BESTOWED upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…" (1Jh.3:1). God has gifted us with incredible blessings, royal dignity, matchless grace, and extravagant love.

Embrace God's grace and live for God's glory. God has bestowed on you His multidimensional grace and matchless majesty.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter