Background
Whereas 1 Peter is studied frequently and has a few verses that
are quoted frequently, 2 Peter is like the ugly step-child. Few Christians can claim to have studied it
at any great depth and only a fraction more can even claim to have read
it. Many scholars consider it far
inferior to 1 Peter in both composition and content. In fact, when the Bible was being organized,
2 Peter was one of the letters that was nearly left out.
Why do I share this? I want
you to appreciate the value of the book.
Human beings place value on things such as the greatness of composition
or length. We find things greatness
based on fame and reputation. I’d like
us to approach this book looking for content, not hype. I’d also like us to realize that the people
out there who are about hype will probably look down upon this book. That’s okay.
It’s not Romans or John or Revelation.
It’s not supposed to be.
Introduction
As I usually do with the New Testament epistles, I’d like to pause
for a second on the titles used by the author.
In this letter Peter identifies himself not only as an apostle but also
as a slave. Yes, most translations use
the term servant, but slave is the better translation. There is a reason that this is important. This letter was likely written close to Peter’s
death. He’s probably undergone a fair
amount of persecution himself. He would
identify himself as an apostle, of course.
But his apostleship has taken a turn for the more difficult. He is now also a slave to God’s will. He is submitted, even in the midst of
persecution.
Another “Quality” Chain
As we approach the opening words of 2 Peter, we find another long
list of qualities that Peter has strung together. “Supplement your faith with virtue, and
virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with
steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly
affection, and brotherly affection with love.”
I find it interesting that many of the writers of the New Testament
string words like these together. It
shows that Christian character is not simply a task of mastering individual
characteristics. It is not simply a task
mastering self-contained concepts.
Following Jesus is learning a way of life. It is a series of interconnected lessons with
each lesson building on and enhancing the lessons that came before.
What I also find interesting is Peter’s point regarding these
characteristics. Each of these characteristics
helps to keep us fruitful in our faith.
Not only do they help us follow a godly path, they help us bear fruit
for others to see, feel, observe, and experience. Developing these characteristics within us is
not just for us, but for the people around us.
This shows us that while Christian qualities within us are connected,
Christian qualities are also interconnected among the community of faith as
well.
Also, we see that these qualities are not lessons learned
once. Peter is quick to remind his
audience that these lessons are learned again and again. Peter is reminding them of things once
learned. Like all traits, we learn,
become good, and then slack off. We ebb
and flow through the experience of life.
Being like Christ is a life’s whole work of constant effort, not a
degree we can earn and then put the credentials on the wall.
Trusting God
With persecution comes doubt.
Doubt opens us up to false teaching.
False teaching leads us astray.
This is the heart of Peter’s close to the first chapter.
Peter reminds his audience that what they heard Peter and his
associates proclaim was not a mere myth.
It was not something passed down to them by other people. Peter attests that he saw Christ. He heard the Father declare that He was well
pleased with Christ. These are not
fictional stories created by ancient people of times past. These are eye-witness accounts.
Peter and his associates were called to proclaim this faith to the
nations. Yes, they doubted along the way
and yes they had to be told the path. Yes,
they were confused a great many times.
But each time Christ was there to bolster their faith.
That’s actually the direction Peter is going as this chapter comes
to an end. No prophesy came from a human
being. God’s Word is always spoken by
the Spirit through human beings. So when
we hear true proclamations of the faith we should be hearing the Spirit talk to
our hearts. Therefore we aren’t relying
upon the attestations of other human beings but rather the Holy Spirit speaking
through them!
This also means that if we are like the apostles and find
ourselves occasionally confused, we can trust in the presence of the Holy
Spirit. It is His message. It is His power. It is His proclamation. We are merely vessels. That’s pretty freeing if you think about it!
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