Peter puts us in remembrance
2 Peter 1:13-14 “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle (body), 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.”
All second books deal with apostasy,….with those who, though they have professed belief in Christ,…..turn away from Him, and go back to the world.
Peter’s second book begins by reminding these persecuted Jewish Christians (“those that have obtained like precious faith with us”)…..of the provision God, through Christ, has given them…and not only provision….but satisfaction! In a world that hates us, we need so desperately to know this satisfaction…this contentment…this peace and joy, in Christ.
2 Peter 1:3-4 “…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.”
(“Divine” is a choice adjective here. “Divine power”, “divine nature” Peter could have said, “godly”….but chose instead to turn our eyes completely away from what we acquire…to what God has given us!)
Peter is saying that God gave us HIs power for…all things….that have to do with His life …through the knowledge of Christ Jesus.
Our real protection from the evil of the times,….is our further development of His divine life within us. He has provided a much better life….for He gives us all we need to go through the circumstances of the present….to stand in the things we have in Christ…and enjoy them….but it is a growth in grace.
(for our battle is not always outwardly,….but in our inward joy and courage to do, speak, and go through the trials that the world, in evil, brings us.
As Christians, we need to learn that because we have faith, then difficulties are not a hindrance to that faith,….but the exercising of it….to grow in faith.)
And HIs promises to us….work more satisfaction within us….for we keep pressing forward to fulfill them….in us and for us. We learn of Christ, about Christ,…while walking all the while with Christ Jesus.
2 Peter 1:5-7 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly-kindness charity (love).”
Here is the difference between the most strong Christians, and the weakest….”giving all diligence”.
No matter where you are in your Christian experience, if you will give all diligence….you will gain.
Our promises should not make us idle…but they will, if we have real faith…encourage us to gain virtue. Virtue is the force, by the Holy Spirit, within us which gives courage and decision for Christ.
In faith, we gain the courage to go on….no matter what.
And in this, we gain more knowledge…the experiential knowledge of what Christ will do for the people who give themselves over to Him.
That leads to self-restraint or temperance….which is not biting our tongues….but the grace of letting God work things out….His Way….within us, and without us.
If we see the government of God,….if by faith, we know that He has everything in His hands for us….we will become patient.
And the truth, by the Holy Spirit works on us to deliver us from lies. It makes us stand, under Him,….and show Who has rule within us.
If He rules, we will never forsake our brothers and sisters in Christ….but by kindness speak and obey the Lord in duty to them.
And “love” or charity is last here, ….because this is what God is. Our character is to be formed around truth and love. This is not turning a blind eye to sin…..for if we love God we will keep HIs commandments.
But it is the confident assurance that God has us completely…spirit soul and body….and in every moment…He is present.
And as this love is developed in my character,…I, too, am present in every situation, seeking Christ’s Will and Way.
2 Peter 1:13 “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle (body), to stir you up by you you in remembrance;”
(“stir you up”…you know when things begin to cook…if you do not “stir them up”….the bottom can begin to stick, and burn. When it is stirred, it keeps things cooking evenly…and completes the dish.
The things that we often let go for a time….can cause us to become stuck….and not finish the work we have been given to do. And we often do not know what will be a sticking point for us. We must remember the Lord’s promises…and be stirred up, not letting things slide…but in diligence go on with Him.)
And Peter says…remember the Lord’s coming again… in glory and power.
And he tells them of the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8)
…there Jesus was transfigured…or seen in His majesty!
2 Peter 1:16-18 “…but we were eyewitnesses of His Majesty.
For He received from God the Father honor 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.
And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with HIm in the holy mount.”
(First, they saw HIs face did shine as the sun…and HIs clothes as white as light!
He was the coming blessing on HIs people…the only way of blessing (Numbers 6:24-27)
Psalm 67:1 “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause HIs face to shine upon us; Selah.”
It is only as He shines HIs light, that we are out of the darkness of sin, and into HIs blessing of Salvation.
Next, a cloud overshadowed them. Here was the cloud that led Israel in the wilderness…that sat on the Tabernacle in glory. Though it came upon Solomon’s Temple….that cloud of glory left the Temple, because of their refusal of His Word, through the prophets (Ezekiel 10:18-19).
But here was the cloud….
….and a Voice, which announced “This is My Beloved Son.”
This glorious Majesty rested on Christ….
…they saw it and heard it.
Yet He came down from the mount and finished HIs Work of Salvation for us.
The Light left Jesus face….but it shone in HIs Words and Works…and was in the hearts of His disciples.
This same light is in our hearts now…growing brighter as we grow in grace….waiting HIs return.
Christ the King will come again….with all the brightness and power…and honor and majesty…
……and we are reminded, in the light of HIs coming again….of what He has given us.
And what He requires from HIs servants….which is diligence.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 