January 6, 2019
Evening Service

We have worked our way through James and then through Peter’s first letter to the early church.  We are going to begin to look at his second letter.  In his first letter, Peter dealt with problems that came from the outside and in his second he deals with problems that develop from the inside.  These problems come from within the church as well as from inside ourselves on a personal level.  He warns us of the dangers of damaging doctrine brought into the church by false teachers.  He then goes a step further and urges the believers to keep close watch on their personal lives.  This letter was written around 67 AD which is approximately 3 years after his first letter.  It is most likely written from Rome.

  The three chapters of this book are broken up into 3 separate categories.  Chapter 1 offers some guidance for the growing Christians.  Chapter 2 explores the dangers these young believers will face from false teachers.  In Chapter 3, Peter encourages them with a hope for the future of Christ’s return.

2Pe 1:1  Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

            Peter describes himself as an apostle of Jesus as well as His bondservant.  He is equally called of God as an apostle as well having sold himself totally out to Jesus as His slave.  He is writing to those who share his faith and commitment to Jesus Christ and possess Him as their personal Savior.

 

2Pe 1:2-4  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,  (3)  as 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,  (4)  by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

            Peter states that we must pursue the knowledge of who God is and the part Jesus plays in our salvation.  Through the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, believers have been “given all things that pertain to life and godliness.”  We lack nothing that we need to have a deep, personal, and meaningful relationship with our Creator and Savior.  Peter tells us that it comes through experiencing the “exceedingly great and precious promises” that allow us to share Christ’s divine nature.  We have been promised and given a portion of God’s Spirit to guide us into truth and help us understand God’s ways.  We then can take confidence in knowing that God has held nothing back for us to succeed as a Christ follower; if we don’t have it we don’t need it!

 

2Pe 1:5-7  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,  (6)  to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,  (7)  to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

 

            Peter encourages us to give diligence (great effort) to growing in Christ.  We must add to our faith virtue which can be defined as living a life of moral excellence; not only believing but living that is pleasing to God.  He then says we need to add knowledge.  We need to strive to not only follow Christ, but really know Him; creating a close relationship with Him.  God has invited us to such a relationship of not only serving God, but know Him as well.  Next we must add self-control to our lives which means to “control one’s passions.”  This actually comes by surrendering our will to the Spirit’s guidance.  That self-control develops perseverance or patience to endure times in our lives that are very difficult.  As we grow in our relationship, we also grow in our ability to work through and endure difficulties.  We don’t allow our circumstances to define how good God is.

 Peter now calls us to godliness which is living a righteous life in reverence of God.  It becomes our way of life.  Brotherly kindness is next as it naturally follows the quality of living a righteous and godly life.  This refers to living out the “Golden Rule;” treating others as you like to be treated.  Finally, Peter concludes our growth list with the crowning jewel; love.  Love should be the foundation and motivation for following Christ.  We cannot call ourselves a Christian or a Christ follower and not display love in our lives.   The two cannot be separated.  Everything we do must be done in love.

 

 2Pe 1:8-9  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (9)  For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

            If we are diligent in adding these qualities to our lives, Peter promises that we will make a difference.  Our faith in action will make this world a better place.  We will produce the fruit of the Spirit and influence others for the cause of Christ; offering them also to enjoy a relationship with their Creator.  However, if we choose to stay on cruise control ignoring growth, we lose sight of what, who and how we have been forgiven of our sins.  This is something we are reminded of every Sunday as we partake of the body and blood of Christ in our communion service.

 

2Pe 1:10-11  Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;  (11)  for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

            Peter is challenging the complacent believers to not listen to the false teacher’s doctrine of living by any manner, but to be diligent to “walk the walk of faith.”  Our salvation is not earned by our actions, but it is proven that we have attained it.  If we have truly grasped what it means to have our sins forgiven, we will strive to live a life to please the One who made that possible for us.

 

2Pe 1:12-15  For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.  (13)  Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,  (14)  knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.  (15)  Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

            Peter knows we are forgetful and he will not be negligent to continue to remind other believers of the truth.  We as the church do not need to ever tire of studying God’s Word and be constantly reminded of the basics of our faith.  Peter is also aware that his martyrdom is coming shortly and there is no place to slow down.  It is believed that he was crucified upside down in less than a year after writing this letter.

 

2Pe 1:16-18  For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  (17)  For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  (18)  And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

            Peter reminds his readers that he is not just telling stories, but was an eyewitness of Jesus as He walked on this earth.  Here he refers to the Mount of Transfiguration.

 

Mat 17:1-8  Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;  (2)  and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.  (3)  And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.  (4)  Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."  (5)  While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"  (6)  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.  (7)  But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid."  (8)  When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

            You just don’t experience something of that caliber and not be changed forever.

 

2Pe 1:19-21  And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;  (20)  knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,  (21)  for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

            This is a very important truth for us to understand.  Our Bible is not full of man’s writings and wisdom, but the prophets wrote as the Holy Spirit inspired them to.  They may have had the pen in their hand, but what they wrote was given to them by the Spirit.  There is one Spirit so it should teach us all the same thing.  The false teachers that Peter speaks of in chapter 2 are quite liberal in interpreting the scriptures as they want to rather than what the Spirit intended.

            Peter here has challenged us to grow in our faith, encouraging us to give diligence to it.  It needs to become who we are, not just what we do.

 

Heavenly Father grant us a desire to grow deep in our faith and not be satisfied with the status quo.