2 Peter 1 - Making sense

Many of us read the Bible and if we're not reading about Jesus or maybe some stories in the Old Testament, it's not very clear what the author is trying to say. None of the paragraphs or thoughts really seem to line up or make sense.

Last post I wrote about the author and the introduction of 2 Peter. I want to expand on that a bit and then go further. 

Though we are only studying/reading the first chapter - it fits into the whole book. Peter has one clear purpose in writing and he delivers it's importance in three ways. There are a few things that everything Peter says ties back to and those few things make his major argument. He himself admits that his purpose of writing is as a reminder of what they already know (1:12-13; 3:1-2).

1. Looking back

Peter is constantly in this letter (key word:) reminding the people of the things of the past. 

First, that he was an eyewitness of Christ's life (1:16 - "we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty").

Second, he reminds them that they have not only his testimony, but that of the Scriptures, which was given to men by God (1:19-21 - So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place... But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men - moved by the Holy Spirit - spoke from God"). 

Third, in chapter 2, he reminds them of the acts of God. God did not spare Sodom and Gomorrah, but condemned them to destruction (2:6), he did not spare the angels who rebelled against him (2:4), and neither did he permit the sins of those in the time of Noah to continue (2:5). He also spared Noah from the flood(2:5) and Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah (2:7-8). These things of the past serves to remind them that "the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment" (2:9).

2. Looking forward

In this letter Peter also constantly reminds his readers of the future.

First, he tells them of the future destruction of the ungodly (2:3, 9-10; 3:7). Their punishment is sure to come.

Second, he reminds them of the promises of rescue to the godly. He rescues his own from temptation (2:9) and is patient, wishing for all to come to repentance (3:9).

Lastly, Peter tells his readers of what is to come of the earth. He says, "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up" (3:10). 

These reminders of what they already know concerning the future is used as an exhortation. He asks the believers: "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?"

3. Looking in

Peter's third reminder is of the Scriptures. 

First, he reminds them that the Scriptures weren't just some man-made invention, but that it is the word of God (1:19-21; see above). 

Second, he reminds them to "remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets (the Old Testament) and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles (the New Testament)" (3:2). 

Putting it all together

Since Peter spends SO MUCH of his time going through these things, we do well to pay attention to why. What's the point of him telling us to remember the past, the future and the Scriptures? Up until this point, Peter is just reminding us. But reminders are useless unless they are put to action. 

So what is he calling the believers to do?

To grow! He says he reminds them, though they already know, so that they never forget, even when he's gone (1:12-15) to grow. And he explains how to grow: "Applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love" (1:5-7). Why? "For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1:8). 

NEITHER useless NOR unfruitful. I'll tell you something, I don't want to be called useless by God. I want him to use me! I also don't want to be busy and doing something, but bear no fruit. Like the fig tree which out of season showed it's leaves, but it was deceiving, because though it had leaves, had no fruit (Mark 11:12-14). 

Diligence

In the beginning of his letter Peter tells his readers to "apply all diligence" (1:5).  And at the end of his letter he says, "be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless." Why? Because as we know, God's condemnation comes to those who are not found in Him, who distort the Scriptures, revile angelic majesties, greedy, deceiving, forsake the right way, speak arrogant words of vanity (2:10-19). These will see their condemnation. 

But, those who have received the faith, the same as Peters (1:1), have been given "everything pertaining to life and godliness" (1:3) and we must only be diligent to grow so that we will be found useFUL and fruitFUL.

So what now?

Remember the things Peter has asked us to remember: the things God has done, the things God will do, and the testimony of Scripture. One way we can do this is by reading the Bible everyday. Has reading this chapter been a chore? What about reading 5 verses a day? Five minutes a day? Start somewhere. You will see that God will bless you by remaining in Him and in His Word.

And grow. Peter spells it out plainly in the chapter we are reading. Do you have faith? Do you have a morality that reflects the Bible? Do you know God and His characters? Do you practice self-control, abstaining from sin? Do you persevere in righteousness? Are you characterized by godliness? Do you exhibit brotherly kindness? Do you love as God has taught us? You know the answers. And really, you know what to do to keep yourself from being useless.