2 Peter 1
September Memory Verse: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
Read: 2 Peter 1
Today we start our way through the book of 2 Peter. While the book of 1 Peter was written to encourage Christians going through persecution and suffering, Peter has a little different focus in the book of 2 Peter. Here he is writing to encourage various churches and to teach some key truths before his death, which he sees nearing. In 2 Peter, he writes to warn believers about the danger of false teachers and of wrong influences -- lessons we still need today.
In the first chapter, Peter starts off with his greeting to the church, which is normal in New Testament letters to the churches. He identifies himself as Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus. While that may seem pretty trivial, there is quite a bit in that introduction. He identifies himself as Simon, the name his parents gave him at birth, as well as Peter, the name Jesus gave him meaning “the rock”. He also states he is a servant of Jesus, but also that he has the authority of an apostle, one who was discipled directly by Jesus. Peter has solid authority to say what follows in his letter to the churches of Asia minor.
In verses 3-10, Peter goes on to encourage the churches by outlining the marks of a true believer. In doing that, he outlines a progression of attributes in a believer’s life that begins with faith in Jesus, and as we grow adds virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, Godliness, brotherly affection, and it matures into genuine love for others. Peter says in verse 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.” As these qualities are present and growing in our lives, they help us to be effective and fruitful. Developing these qualities is the aim of discipleship. In verses 12-15, you see Peter telling the church that he wants to remind and encourage them about these qualities, because he will soon be “putting off” his body. He knows he will soon die, and he wants the churches to be strong in truth.
After laying out this short introduction and encouragement, Peter shifts the discussion in verse 15 to begin focusing on solid teaching. This is the base he builds upon as he also warns in chapter 2 about false teaching. Peter is clear that he and the apostles did not follow “cleverly devised myths” (v16) when they taught about Jesus. What they taught, they saw and heard firsthand from Jesus Christ himself. Imagine being able to share the truth of Jesus with the clarity and authority of Peter, since he had lived with and been taught by Jesus for nearly 3 years. Peter was able to teach the prophetic word with authority, because it was given to him by God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
So, what does this passage mean for us? What are we to do with it?
So, the walk away question is, are you growing in the attributes of a true believer as Peter describes? Would you be willing to engage in one-on-one discipleship to see that Christian growth? If so, reach out to a leader at Center Point, and someone will help get you engaged to grow in these things.
By: Mike Wilson
Read: 2 Peter 1
Today we start our way through the book of 2 Peter. While the book of 1 Peter was written to encourage Christians going through persecution and suffering, Peter has a little different focus in the book of 2 Peter. Here he is writing to encourage various churches and to teach some key truths before his death, which he sees nearing. In 2 Peter, he writes to warn believers about the danger of false teachers and of wrong influences -- lessons we still need today.
In the first chapter, Peter starts off with his greeting to the church, which is normal in New Testament letters to the churches. He identifies himself as Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus. While that may seem pretty trivial, there is quite a bit in that introduction. He identifies himself as Simon, the name his parents gave him at birth, as well as Peter, the name Jesus gave him meaning “the rock”. He also states he is a servant of Jesus, but also that he has the authority of an apostle, one who was discipled directly by Jesus. Peter has solid authority to say what follows in his letter to the churches of Asia minor.
In verses 3-10, Peter goes on to encourage the churches by outlining the marks of a true believer. In doing that, he outlines a progression of attributes in a believer’s life that begins with faith in Jesus, and as we grow adds virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, Godliness, brotherly affection, and it matures into genuine love for others. Peter says in verse 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.” As these qualities are present and growing in our lives, they help us to be effective and fruitful. Developing these qualities is the aim of discipleship. In verses 12-15, you see Peter telling the church that he wants to remind and encourage them about these qualities, because he will soon be “putting off” his body. He knows he will soon die, and he wants the churches to be strong in truth.
After laying out this short introduction and encouragement, Peter shifts the discussion in verse 15 to begin focusing on solid teaching. This is the base he builds upon as he also warns in chapter 2 about false teaching. Peter is clear that he and the apostles did not follow “cleverly devised myths” (v16) when they taught about Jesus. What they taught, they saw and heard firsthand from Jesus Christ himself. Imagine being able to share the truth of Jesus with the clarity and authority of Peter, since he had lived with and been taught by Jesus for nearly 3 years. Peter was able to teach the prophetic word with authority, because it was given to him by God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
So, what does this passage mean for us? What are we to do with it?
- We should recognize the traits of a true and growing believer. It begins with faith in Jesus and matures into love of others.
- We should also recognize that the truth of Jesus is not based on clever myths, and we should recognize that it is important to be learning truth. We get that truth by learning and knowing God’s word.
- How do we see points one and two above happen in our lives? Discipleship and Bible study. We need to be involved in a church that teaches us, and we also need more mature believers around us to help guide us as we grow in these traits.
So, the walk away question is, are you growing in the attributes of a true believer as Peter describes? Would you be willing to engage in one-on-one discipleship to see that Christian growth? If so, reach out to a leader at Center Point, and someone will help get you engaged to grow in these things.
By: Mike Wilson
1 Comment
Great word today, Mike, thank you. I appreciate how you tied the two books together and transitioned us into his new letter & intentions.
“It is important to be learning truth.” There is so much in this world that lies to us and wants to blind us to God’s truth. My prayer for my CPC family is that we would hunger for God’s Word and let it truly be our Bread of Life.