Established In The Present Truth The book of 2 Peter was written by Simon Peter. He identified himself as a servant of Jesus Christ. He also was an apostle of the Lord Jesus. He wrote to those who have obtained “the like precious faith.” These were Christian people who were enjoying God’s precious promises. Peter wrote, “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:1) Jesus called Peter Simon. “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17) Peter helped us to realize that the precious faith of one person is just as valuable to God as the faith of another. Remember, it cannot be “a faith of our own making,” but it must be “faith” according to God. This faith is obtained through the righteousness of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior. Peter’s desire was that grace and peace be multiplied through the knowledge of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:2) Divine and saving knowledge comes through the revealed word of God. “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: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4) Through the right kind of knowledge God has called us to glory and virtue. Our daily goal must be to become a partaker of the Divine nature. Spiritual growth, according to the knowledge of God: In order to become a partaker of the divine nature, we must grow spiritually according to the revealed will of God. Christians must supply or add to their faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity. (2 Peter 1: 5-11) God’s people must possess these qualities lavishly. Christians must grow and these qualities must increase in their daily lives. Peter is focused on growth in Christ. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) The Christian has a certain amount of knowledge at the beginning of the Christian life. He must continue to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we fail to grow we will be shortsighted or blind spiritually. Let us be zealous and make every effort to grow in the Lord. Zealous growth in Christ will prevent you from falling by the wayside spiritually. A call to be established in the present truth: Those to whom Peter wrote already knew the truth, but he wanted to call it to their remembrance. “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” (2 Peter 1:12) These brethren, like the Corinthians, had heard, believed and obeyed the gospel. “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8) They had heard and known the grace of God in truth. Paul wrote, “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.” (Colossians 1:5-6) Peter wanted it understood that a growth in knowledge and the addition of the Christian graces was necessary in order to make our calling and election sure. In order to have an entrance into God’s heavenly kingdom, we must be established in the present truth. Truth must be called to our remembrance often. The fact that we know the truth and understand it right now does not guarantee that we will always continue in the truth. Those who preach and teach should constantly remind Christians of the bases of their faith and the grounds upon which our faith rest. The Devil will constantly try to overthrow our faith. By having “The faith” constantly in our remembrance we will be fortified against the attacks of the wicked one. As a preacher of the gospel, I am constantly happy and joyous to remind you of “the faith.” Do what you can now and leave something good behind when you are gone: Peter wrote, “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.” (2 Peter 1:13-15) Peter said that as long as he was in his earthly body, he would do his best to stir up the remembrance of what these brethren knew. He would do his best to persuade them to faithfully fulfill their duty. He felt that he would soon be martyred so he would do his best to deepen the conviction of the faith of his brethren. By writing and distributing these epistles, Peter would continue to call things to the remembrance of these brethren and to strengthen them in their faith. By having the Bible in written form, we are able at any time to recall these things, and by having them in remembrance our faith can be stirred. Peter knew that these things were true, because he had been an eyewitness and ear witness to the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. He also knew that God’s word was a “more sure prophecy.” “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19) Scripture is not some writing of man’s own devising. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21) We must understand that human will did not originate the words written in our Bible. Peter made a clear and certain claim for the inspiration of the Scriptures. Paul did the same, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13) Peter’s mission was to encourage us to remember our faith and to be established in God’s truth. God gave His own Son to die for us. It just makes sense to love and obey Him. To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (1 Peter 3:21) The writings of Peter help us to mature in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. ---- Charles Box A Look In The Mirror Our society is addicted to “reality.” I guess it started a good while back with crime shows like Cops and Real TV. Then we made the switch to relationship shows like The Bachelor(ette). It seems that nothing is too sacred or outlandish for people to make a reality television show about. There is even one now that consists of two families swapping mothers/wives for a week. (If this isn’t evidence that our nation’s family values are out of whack, I don’t know what is!) The lure of these shows is the fascination we have with seeing “real” people in “real” situations…seeing who they REALLY are! Yeah right! With cameras in their faces and the world watching, how real do you think these people are being? Reality or not, the key word is “show.” Do we ever put on a show for others? What is the truth about who you are? What if everyone you know was able to look in your mirror and see exactly what you see…who you really are? (James 1:23-25). How would your friends react? Would your Christian friends be shocked at the person you are in secret? Would your non-Christian friends be shocked to find that you are a Christian at all? Are you the kind of person who “observes himself [in the mirror], goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was”? (James 1:24) Most importantly, what do you see when you look in the mirror of truth? Perhaps you yourself are fooled into seeing something that’s not true. (II Thessalonians 2:10-12) This is especially dangerous when it relates to eternal salvation. The devil says, “Everyone’s ok,” and “God doesn’t mean what He says.” But God will keep his promises, including, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) The REAL you peeks out when no one is looking (Mama always said). And the REAL you is determined by your actions…not by your intentions. Make your reality pleasing to God by obeying His will. ----Darrell Powell Change what needs changing in your Heart!
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 01:02:48 +0000
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