Hope and Encouragement
Yesterday was a tough day. Doctor’s appointments in afternoon wear me out. I was struggling with my study this morning. Then I was reminded of 2 Peter 1. This passage is one of those that just tugs at my heart and reminds me of the truth and love of God’s Word.
I am humbled by the Word of God and the message… it is just so powerful. The promises and the guidance just set me on my knees. I just want to go through this and share how it touches me this morning.
2Peter1:3-4
The first two verses just remind me of the gifts we have received through Christ Jesus. There are not words for me to describe how powerful that is. Just thinking about it as I meditate on them.
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
Christ Jesus, through His divine power, has granted to me all things that pertain to life and godliness. How did he do it? By revealing Himself to me, and I am thankful that I finally heard Him. Sometimes it is easy for me to wonder how many times I missed His call, but today what matters is that I finally listened, and it has changed my life.
Through Him, I have escaped the chains of sin. I have escaped the corruption of this world. I still struggle with temptation at times, and I do mess sometimes. But now God has given me the gift of the Holy Spirit to remind me when I do and to offer me a path to repentance through grace, and I am thankful. I see why Peter goes on the rant that he does in verses 5-7
2Peter1:5-7
These verses were the first to attract me to this passage. I love the wisdom that Peter shares here.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
Each step builds on the last. Each one is a piece to the heart of my faith. Each is a trait of my example, Jesus. All are traits that I desire. They are gifts from God to build on. I love how Peter explains it in the next piece of the passage.
2Peter1:8-9
He is clear. He does not hold back. These are our qualities, and they SHOULD be increasing, and they keep us from being ineffective.
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
They are so important that if I lack them, I am not only nearsighted but blind and have forgotten, in my mind, most everything I have learned from the Word. Then Peter gives me an assignment and a promise.
2Peter1: 10-11
10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
As I read that passage, I am filled with this desire to not forget the teachings of God’s Word and to cling to not only 2Peter but every truth from Genesis to Revelation.
I am amazed by this next passage by Peter because he makes it clear that his time on earth is short and he chooses to preach on these words with passion.
2Peter1: 12-15
12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
This passage; a confirmation of my election and calling, is to Peter the thing that Jesus has told him to focus on in his last days. As I read that all I can think is shouldn’t I be doing the same. Following those building blocks and encouraging others to do the same.
Reflections
As I meditate on these verses, it is clear to me that I can do none of these on my own nor can I expect anyone else to do it either. We need each other and the strength that comes from unity of purpose and brotherly love for each other. I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Isn’t that what Peter is saying in this passage. I do not think the writer in Ecclesiastes is simply speaking of the physical, but also of the spiritual. We need spiritual encouragement, in my mind, more than the physical, and that lead me to the why in closing verses of chapter 1.
2Peter1:16-18
I look at verses 16-18 and see the why of it all. We are not counting on man’s word, but we count on God’s Word through the testimony of men that walked with Him and heard God proclaim who Jesus was.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
God knew that man would, with the help of the adversary, would try to turn the truth into just a story. These Apostles were witnesses and our conformation does not simply come from them but from the Word of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to help us discern the truth. And Peter does not hold back in verses 19-21.
2Peter1:19-21
Peter lays it out as to the source of his understanding and offers us a warning that we would do well to listen.
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
There is nothing that I can say that describes the urgency of this passage and it’s authority. I just keep mulling it over and give thanks to God for the help of the Holy Spirit to walk me through it. All I can do is give thanks to the Lord!
Closing
This chapter in 2 Peter gives me strength and purpose. I know that as a member of the body of Christ I depend on every member and they depend on me. We can do all things through Christ Jesus, but the first is to love. I am reminded of John 13:34-35.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
What a gift we have in this commandment.
Prayer
Father, thank you for these Words that you speak to me daily. Thank you for the love you share and the guidance Your Holy Word provide.
Father let me be constant encouragement to those whom you place around me and never lose sight of your precious Word. Let it be engraved on my heart! In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!!
Great encouragement and notice how those traits the WE are to add (by working on them) in vv. 5-7 closely parallel the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-24. Christ has given us all we need in His Word and Spirit and we are responsible to grow in them and serve others accordingly! Have a great day in Him!