​Light on the Word
 
2 Peter 3:1-2 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
 
PETER wrote his letters to the church as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. In the Greek meaning, “wholesome thinking” is “sun-judged”. This describes how a piece of pottery was held to the sunlight to reveal any faults or cracks. Peter’s mandate was that all Christians’ words and actions could be sun-judged, “True.” when held up to the light of God’s Word. Jesus said it this way in his Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Good minds lead to good deeds. To keep our minds free of flaws, Peter closes the letter with a focus on keeping God’s Word pure in our minds.
   He first points the church to the prophets. We must have in mind the prophets’ teachings and learn from them. Sixteen books of the Bible are named for prophets. Four are “major” prophets and 12 are “minor”. This designation is based on the size and duration of their prophecies. All prophets are “major” in God’s sight because they reveal his Word. Within each is the truth or an example of God’s sovereign plan to purify the world though the Savior, Jesus Christ.  
   In addition there are prophets within the history books of Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, etc. David, Elijah, Elisha, Samuel and all the prophets were – and are through the Bible today – God’s remarkable tools to point the Jews to wholesome thinking against the flaws of lawless living, idolatry and paganism. But the Jews “killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.” (Luke 11:48b) Jesus judged the Jews for their literal killing of God’s spokesmen and for “killing” their words to Israel.
   The Israelites throughout history have had many flaws in their thinking of God and his will for them. They were cracked by evil desires that spread through hearts and minds to break a strong nation into an exiled, shattered and dispersed pieces. Wholesome thinking seemed to vanish from the nation.
   But then Jesus came. And after his ascension, the wholesome thinking advanced when the church received the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. The first-century church had the privilege to hear from the men Jesus had personally commanded: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20).
   “Teaching them to obey” is a sure command to stimulate your mind to wholesome thinking. We are to develop obedient minds, so they will become wholesome minds, withstanding the scrutiny of the gospel light.  
     
 

2 Peter 2:20-22 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,”  and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”
 
DO Christians lose their salvation? That seems to be what Peter is saying here. But Jesus says that will never happen: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28) Faith is God’s gift to his elect. He will not take it back.
   Peter is not disputing Jesus, but he is warning against false teachers who had heard of Jesus and his teachings but have rejected him. They have been exposed to the true Way into life everlasting but have gone back to the way of death. It’s as if starving people were invited into a fine restaurant. The chef presented them with a bountiful meal. Instead of enjoying its flavor and nourishment, they claimed, “This food is not real!” And they walked out still hungry, still tantalized by the food’s appearance and aromas.
   There are many today who teach Bible classes in universities and in seminaries who do not believe the Bible is true. Through reading and studying the Bible, these teachers know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ perhaps as a man in history. But they do not know him as the Lord of history. They read what the Bible says about the way of salvation, but they reject even the need for repentance of sins. So they return to – meaning they remain – in the world’s corruption.
   Peter equates such teachers to a dog and a sow. To the Jew, these two animals are the most repulsive. The sow is unclean, and the Jews despised dogs. It is a term to also describe the condemned in Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
    How tragic for those who stand before the Bread of Life and tell him, “I have no appetite for you.”  They will starve for eternity.    

2 Peter 2:10-12 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; 11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. 12 But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.  
 
IN 2 Peter 2:10-19 the apostle continues to emphasize God’s judgment. Once more, we point out that Peter is encouraging the church to be strong in faith. He warns against blasphemy, arrogance, slander and corrupt men who despise authority.
   One way men despise authority is to slander celestial beings. This refers to people who judge and condemn government authorities. Paul teaches everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established...he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)
   We all view verbal and physical violence against governments. Peter says not even angels accuse other in such a way. Only the Lord has the righteousness to condemn.
   Slander signals a soul is out of control. It is one of Satan’s destruction tools. We must not speak evil toward anyone.
   Peter continues to warn the church against those who despise authority. They carouse in broad daylight (verse 13). In verses 14-15: Their eyes are full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed – an accursed brood! 15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. (See Numbers 22.) Verse 17 These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity – for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.
   The depraved are enslaved with their depravity. Prideful people keep their eyes from heaven and believe they are superior to rules and customs. They place themselves above all creation – even the LORD God. But their lives are locked within themselves. There is no freedom when one is bound so tightly to himself he cannot know the goodness God has prepared for him.   
 
A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you. — C. S. Lewis
 

2 Peter 2:4-9 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard) – 9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. 
 
IF God is holy, then he will judge evil. If God is holy, then he will save the righteous.
   Sometimes it is very difficult, almost impossible to believe God will condemn sinners to hell. This is especially true when we think of people who seem to be essentially good people, but they refuse to believe in Jesus and God’s Holy Word. But in this very long sentence, Peter declares to the church that God has condemned rebellious angels and unrepentant people into the gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment.
   His reference to the angels’ sin is their corruption before the Fall. Satan and his followers were glorious angels in heaven until Satan rebelled and other angels followed him. (Jude 6) Ultimately, all will be finally judged at Jesus’ return as Jesus promised in Matthew 23:32-33 and in Revelation 21:8.
   God will save the righteous. Peter reminds the Jews and teaches the Gentiles that God saved the righteous Noah from the Flood’s condemnation. He saved Lot from Sodom’s and Gomorrah’s fiery destruction. God has judged with a flood. He has judged with fire and brimstone. God has judged the righteous to be saved and the sinner to be condemned.  
          We know what God will do because we know what God has done. If people sin and do not repent, then he judges them into hell. If people repent and call on the name of the Lord for all righteousness, then he saves them into heaven. This is what God has done. This is what he will do.   

2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
 
HOW do we know if a Bible teacher is false or true? The apostle Paul gives a brief, complete answer in 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. A true teacher will stand firm on all of Scripture’s authority to teach what God says to us.
   One threat to Scripture’s authority is a tendency among many Christian’s to minimize the Old Testament. They dismiss God’s judgments as hateful – even bigoted. God’s holiness is placed on the level of human pride, jealousy and revenge. A true teacher will help you understand sin’s great assault against God. True teachers make plain the pure God will not allow sin into his presence. His character demands justice.
   On the other hand, some false teachers have taught only God’s judgment. They ignore the fact that Jesus is Redeemer. His death on the cross is to purchase the sinner from God’s judgment. Repentance in faith sanctifies one into the Kingdom of God. The Bible is a balance of God’s grace and God’s judgment. Both condemnation and salvation are meaningless if “everyone goes to heaven” because God “loves you just the way you are.” Or the gospel is weakened with “only a few go to heaven” because God requires a list of works to be saved.
   True teachers teach that Jesus is divine. We have looked at some evidence of Jesus as the incarnate Son of God, who now reigns in heaven . False teachers have claimed Jesus was just a spirit who did not live in the flesh. Some teach he was only a man of flesh who had no special connection with God. Others have attempted to dismiss much of Jesus’ teachings. Their view is the Son of God would never have said what the gospels reveal. Jesus’ virgin birth and the miracles are viewed as myths. False teachers and “experts” place their own knowledge above the God-breathed Scripture.
   True teachers also teach the Holy Spirit as a third person of the Trinity. The Spirit is often ignored or diminished. He is made to be an object of mystery and almost a bystander in God’s work among mankind. Scripture is very clear to reveal the Spirit is active from beginning to end as the power of God on earth. He is the Life to our physical bodies and to our eternal souls. He is Knowledge to reveal God’s truth to his elect.
   Peter alerts the church that many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. This has been too true in the church’s history. Much confusion has and does restrict God’s authority in the world. His Holy Bible is cast aside, replaced with modern thinking and scientific knowledge. At the end of the 19th century, one thought was the mankind was too advanced to believe in God. Perhaps that is why the 20th century had more wars and people killed in wars than any other time in history. And that does not include the war against the unborn.
   False teachers are everywhere. God will surely judge them. His condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.  
   Be alert to the Bible’s words. Remember that knowledge is the foundation of a well-built faith. 

2 Peter 1:16-18 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
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Mark 9:2-8 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.  
 
ALL Christians have to know the evidence of the Bible’s truth. When friends, family or acquaintances express doubt about the Bible, we  must be prepared to respond with much more than, “Just believe.” Many lies and misunderstandings about the Bible keep people from knowing God. What is required for us to claim victory for the Lord? For one, we should be able to prove Jesus is God’s Son.  
   Peter testifies to this when he affirms Jesus’ Transfiguration. Certainly Peter spoke of this stunning experience with the Lord. Mark knew what to write because Peter told him.  
   Peter emphasized Jesus is the majestic Son of God, robed in glorious splendor. Peter admitted to Mark, “He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.” Just as all who encountered the angel of the Lord in the Old Testament, Peter responded in reverence and awe to Jesus’ glory. He didn’t want to leave that holy place. We, too, must worship him with fear and trembling, desiring to be in Jesus’ presence.
   Peter, James and John were also chosen to witness Jesus’ glorious majesty in the resurrection of Jarius’ daughter (Mark 5:41). And all apostles saw the young man (Luke 7:14) and Lazarus (John 11:44) raised to life. They witnessed Jesus’ glory as the thousands were fed and multitudes healed. In fear, the disciples had also watched Jesus calm the storm. Even more, Peter had walked on water.
   Were these cleverly invented stories? The apostles would submit their lives only for the true story about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to redeem our sins.
   Peter’s fear became Peter’s devotion to his majestic Lord. With unshakeable faith, Peter told the true story of Jesus’ glory, so we know Jesus is God’s Son. You, too, anointed to be God’s child, have the same story to tell.   
 

2 Peter 1:8-11 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
PETER had just listed seven traits of a faithful life. Now he preaches into the church’s heart. It’s time to make a decision: Will you be an effective, productive Christian? Will you make good use of goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love?
   To not have them is to ignore God’s gifts to grow into your faith. For example, someone chose to give you the knowledge of God by giving you a Bible. You have it. But do you use it? If you use it to guide your life, the Bible becomes a gift that will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if you keep the gift on the shelf, you will be spiritually nearsighted, unable to see God’s blessings so richly available to you.
   Without knowledge, you cannot build your faith above its foundation. The very tragic result is that your life will remain unchanged. You will forget God’s precious present. How sad and disappointing it is to watch people who once were actively engaged in building their faith to now see them stop and leave the church.
   What happens that causes Christians to put God’s gifts on the shelf? Do they think the gifts are worn and ineffective? Might they believe God rewards complacency? Have they lost their love for the Gift Giver?
   To reject such attitudes, Peter urges us to make our election sure. This is another way he exhorts the church to participate in the divine nature (verse 4). The opportunity has come to the elect in the Spirit’s power to make the most of life. God has given us purpose and the ability to be of God’s character. Why would we waste this gift to leave it unopened and powerless on the shelf of our complacent soul?
   Perhaps we forget where we’re going. Keep your eyes on heave. You should be always grateful and willing to celebrate and use God’s faith-building gifts. No person and no desire should keep us from the sure blessings of our election. You have received from God, the Creator. Treasure the gift. Put it to use, so you can live into Jesus’ promise: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
   God promises you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This echoes Jesus’ lesson in the parable of the talents: Matthew 25:21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
   Yes, the kingdom of God is the reward of all who are chosen by God. Will you live as a bystander? Or will you live blessed in the full rewards God has planned for his faithful children? 

2 Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
 
WHEN you participate in God’s divine nature (see January 22 lesson.), you have the means to gain more of God’s character, defined in part with Peter’s list here. This is similar to Paul’s fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
   We all know it is not easy to break away from our human nature. That’s why it requires every effort to build on your faith. You must purposefully and regularly add to your faith with God’s means of grace such as Bible study, serving, worshiping and praying, for example. This is a building process that requires time and correct use of these seven spiritual building blocks Peter lists.
   When you add goodness you build moral excellence into your life. You reject the sins of your past. To help you separate right from wrong, you then add knowledge. This is the wisdom and discernment that guides you to subtract the bad from your life and add the good.
   Build on goodness and knowledge with self-control. You resist temptation. Self-control requires we honestly assess our habits and thoughts to determine if we are adding to our faith. And true self-control requires we enlist God’s help. We cannot live controlled life without the Spirit’s guidance.
   Perseverance in our faith walk is vital, too, isn’t it? How can we strive for years to live for Jesus and then give it up? Some become discouraged that their faith isn’t as strong as they’d like. Perhaps certain sins still haunt us and try to detract us into a weaker faith. Persevere in the Lord’s care and power. Enlist friends to pray with you and for you. Have a good Jesus-like friend who will spur you on. Your faith life is far too valuable to discard.
   Godliness refers to an awareness of God in your lifestyle. Your life is under Jesus’ power and should be an example of Jesus. Brotherly kindness is the good and right relationship you have with all in the church. You care for others as you want them to care for you.  
   And then comes love. None of this is possible if you do not love God and love others with active participation in the divine nature.
   It makes sense, doesn’t it? To possess, to own these qualities in increasing measure you will be more effective and productive as a kingdom citizen. Knowing about Jesus and knowing what Jesus knows, you will have knowledge and self-control to persevere to live a godly life. That’s why Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
 

2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
 
HAVE you ever considered that as a Christian you participate in the divine nature? This is a remarkable gift, isn’t it? The Triune God has not only welcomed you into his presence, he has welcomed you into his essence. The day you said, “I believe.” your basic nature changed. You resigned your membership in the world’s profane opposition to God. Your faith has revealed God’s grace and peace.
   Grace is God’s undeserved favor. Peace is the reconciliation between God and mankind through Jesus. Each of us must understand that regardless of what is happening in our personal lives, God’s grace and peace are above all. Evil, disease and even death cannot disturb or remove God’s divine nature from your soul. Your participation is sure and constant. How well, then, will you participate in God’s divine nature?
   Your involvement in God’s nature is to become more as God. You will become more personally connected to God when you have the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Perhaps one reason you are reading this is to learn of God, the Father, and of Jesus our Lord. Jesus has told everything you need to know about a life that participates with him. You may have heard some false or true things about Jesus before God saved you. Once you received God’s divine nature, did you begin to seek more knowledge of Jesus? The best way to fully participate in an occupation or in a sport is to have full knowledge of that activity, isn’t it? It is the same with Jesus. To participate well in his divine nature, get to know Jesus.
   But maybe you feel incapable of participating in God’s divine nature. After all, you come from a sin nature that focused on the negative: “God is not interested in me.” “God is always judging me.” But note, you can be confident God’s divine power gives you all you need for life and godliness. The power of God is the Spirit, who hovered over the waters (Genesis 1:2). He empowered a simple man Bezalel with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts, to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze (Exodus 31:3-4), so he could build God’s house in the Exodus desert. The Spirit is the divine power who transformed Gideon from a scared farmer into a mighty warrior. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet (calling Israel to arms.) (Judges 6:34) God chose these two ordinary men and many others in Scripture, including the prophets and apostles, to participate in divine power. When God acted, they acted through knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. How sinful and mistaken Peter once was. But the divine power gave Peter all he needed to fully participate in the divine to advance the kingdom of God.
   It is the same for you. Regardless of your role in the kingdom of God, it is essential you know how precious it is to participate in the divine. You get to be with God to grow into an abiding love relationship with him. This is his wonderful will for your life. Enjoy him.
 

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
 
HAS Peter changed since he became Jesus’ disciple along the shore of Galilee? Jesus said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). (John 1:42) Cephas means rock or stone. With “Simon”, Jesus identified Peter as who he was at the time. With “Peter” Jesus identified who he would become.
   Simon Peter also identified himself as a servant of Jesus Christ. “Servant” usually means “slave”, one in complete submission to his master. This was very difficult for Peter. For example, in John 13, Peter at first refused to allow Jesus to wash his feet: John 13:8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”  But then he submitted: “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
   Peter began to understand he must commit himself completely to Jesus. To reject Jesus’ slave-like service to his disciples was to reject Jesus’ committed love, kindness, mercy and grace. Simon could only be Peter – solid, unyielding in his faith – when he received all of Jesus.
   Then Peter still had to overcome the sin of denying Jesus. That’s when the risen Jesus washed Peter clean of his guilt. John 21:17-20 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
   Simon was a fisherman with some spiritual and personal weaknesses. Chosen by Christ, he became Peter, a solid stone for Jesus’ gospel. His questions and challenges to Jesus as recorded in the gospels transformed into sure words of power and authority to the Jews in Acts. Peter’s ministry was also the first to reach the Gentiles. God gave him a voice and power to transform hearts to faith in Jesus. Peter healed, and he raised the dead. Peter became a visible demonstration to the world of Psalms 95:1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.   
   Has Jesus called you? Does he call you “brother”, “sister”, “disciple”?  Have you fully submitted to Jesus’ love, kindness, mercy and grace?