Precious Faith
2 Pet 1:1 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:
Peter writes in his authority as an apostle, to the church; those who have obtained faith in and through the Lord Jesus. Faith is a gift and that through God and his son, Jesus. Faith must be used, a little faith will accomplish much. Hear the word of God and your faith will increase.
Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2Pet 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Peter begins his second epistle, still it is the truth of Jesus we hold on to. Many false teachers were a problem in his time as now. This epistle addresses the problem and is just as applicable today as it was 2000 years ago. God's word is not bound or limited.
Life and Godliness
2 Pet 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:
According as His divine power; the same power that spoke the world's into existence, this power that dwells in us through the Holy Spirit, has given unto us all things good. Good things that bring forth life and godliness, thank you Lord.
Is there something missing? Maybe sin? destruction and despair? These are not from God, do not blame him if these things come to your life. These are the work of the flesh and the devil.
So how do we avoid the bad and only receive the good things of God? A good question, the answer is in this verse: "through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"
Where do we get this knowledge? From hearing the word of God and doing the things to receive the promises of God. Wait you say? Is not salvation through faith in Jesus, without works? Yes, and that is found in God's word.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Think of how many people are trying to please God and be good enough; they need to know the word of God and his promises. Do we receive our knowledge of God second hand? The Bible is for you to read and find great treasures and exceeding great and precious promises.
2 Pet 1:4 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.
We are free from bondage, escaped from the world's lust and corruption. Free to open our Bibles, to explore his word. Ask yourself when you read a Bible passage, is there a promise here for me? What must I do to receive this promise? The blessings of God are received by obeying the word of God. The end result is that we have become more like Jesus, partakers of His divine nature. I want more and more of what God has for me. Want you join me in the blessings as we search his word? Thank you Father for the good things you give to us. We seek the truth in your word and the way of life, Jesus is the way. Thank you Lord.
Steps to a Fruitful Life
Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
Peter continues giving the hearer practical advice in living in all that God has abundantly provided for him. Notice how one thing leads to another, building the character of the disciple. I have had these scriptures, 2Pet 1:5-8, hanging on my wall for many years.
2 Pet 1:5 And beside this, having exceeding great and precious promises:
giving all diligence, ernest care with urgency,
add to your faith virtue; moral goodness, excellence of character.
and to virtue knowledge; understanding, especially of the word of God.
2 Pet 1:6 And to knowledge
temperance; self control, especially of the passions of the flesh
and to temperance
patience; steadfastness and endurance
and to patience
godliness; holiness, reverence and respectful behavior
2 Pet 1:7 And to godliness
brotherly kindness; love for the brethren
and to brotherly kindness
charity. love, the love God gives to us, loving each other, agape love.
2 Pet 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These things, these behaviors in you will keep you from being barren and unfruitful. Jesus came to give us abundant life and our Father desires that we glorify Him with spiritual fruit.
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Remember these things
2 Pet 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
If we do not show diligence in the things listed in 2Peter 5-8, we are lacking and blind, and have forgotten that Jesus has removed all our sins. I will follow Jesus with all diligence, yes even with opposition, for our reward is beyond words, life abundant and everlasting.
2 Pet 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2 Pet 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Praise God for the riches of our promises, receiving all that the Father has, all good things! Be diligent in the things of our Lord, your callings are for you alone to fulfill, be diligent. You are the elect, the chosen of God, fulfill the life God has given to you. Do these things and through the power of his might, the Holy Spirit.
2 Pet 1:12 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 Pet 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
2 Pet 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.
Peter as a loving elder and apostle, from age and wisdom wishes to stir us up. Our Pastor used an illustration to get this point across. He passed out pans with spoons to the young people. Whenever he said the word "stir" they began to stir the spoon around in the pans, such a noise, but it got the point across. The next time you prepare something that needs stirring in the kitchen, remember to stir up these things in verses 5-8.
Paul wrote to Timothy, to stir up his gifts:
2 Tim 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
This message has urgency, for the aging Peter lived in a time of great peril and he remembered what Jesus had told him of his end.
John 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
John 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Peter would be crucified, the belief of many was that he asked to be cucified upside down, as he felt he was not worthy to die as his Lord. Perhaps this is legend, for Peter in his epistles let's us know that we are indeed worthy to receive all good things and that we should show all diligence to stir up the godly character and gifts of the spirit.
2 Pet 1:15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
These words were to be remembered, so that we will be fully equipped to survive without the elders assistance. Look to God, look unto Jesus, read the word, hear it and obey, then you shall abound in all good things. As a father, I too agree with this, the things you have learned will equip you for life.
2 Tim 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
2 Tim 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Onward Christian soldiers...
True Witness, no fable
2 Pet 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Many today, as throughout history, make their own reality through various false beliefs. Some are followers of clever doctrines of devils. Paul warned Timothy of this;
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Tim 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
The Christian chat rooms are full of these seducing spirits. Those who speak these things do not hear the word of God nor can they see or understand the things of God. They glory in their shame, some thinking themselves so wise, have been given over to satan by the Lord. A sad place to be, for all eternity.
Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Isa 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Isa 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Still like Isaiah, the Lord has a people to proclaim his message of truth. Peter was an eyewitness to the appearing of Jesus, even seeing him in his glory. This is no fable it is history and the power of God.
...when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2 Pet 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
The Father spoke this on two occasions: at the baptism of Jesus,
Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
and on the mount of transfiguration,
Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Mat 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Mat 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Mat 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Mat 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
We have these two historical accounts of God speaking from heaven confirming the ministry of his son Jesus. I receive these testimonies with joy. If the reader wishes to accept a fable for truth, he is choosing everlasting torment. No, it is not just my opinion, it is the word of God. In Jesus is life eternal, receive him into eternal life, begin to live as God has intended for you to live, life abundant.
Prophecy
2 Pet 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
Any place where God shows his glory is holy. The holy mount was where Jesus appeared glowing white, as he will appear for eternity.
John, speaks in Revelation of the city come down from heaven where the saints shall dwell;
Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
2 Pet 1:19 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 Pet 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2 Pet 1:21 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.
The prophets of God, speak the message of God. It is a sure word of prophecy, hundreds are found written in the Bible, most have been fulfilled. Jesus himself was the fulfillment of 300 prophecies. Messiah Revealed
Prophecy is not of private interpretation, it is God's word, to be accepted as such. When seeking truth we always check and compare scriptures with scripture. The Bible speaks for itself, being from God through men moved upon by the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Cor 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
How often do I hear in the Christian Chat rooms people expressing all sorts of beliefs in the name of tolerance. When the word of God is spoken, they will say, that's just your opinion, or that is only a book written by men. It is a book, written by men who were moved upon by the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the word of God.
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
God's word is truth, as Paul said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ";
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Stand on God's word and you will never fall. Jesus is eternal Lord and savior, all other ways are sinking sand. Dwell in the secret place of the most high, dwell in Christ Jesus and he in you.
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Beautiful words of God.
In his love, Gary
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