God has already acted to call Christians to himself. He has by sovereign grace given them all that is needed to truly live in a godly manner. And he has set fantastic promises before them. They must not allow themselves to be caught again in the moral morass of the world, for it was God’s purpose in saving them to enable them to escape from this trap. Instead they should become like Christ (“participate in the divine nature”) and must therefore grow in Christian virtue. If they fail in this growth they miss God’s promises, but zealousness to move forward will confirm their election and their future in heaven (1:3–11). Peter is about to die, as Jesus predicted (John 21:18-19). The purpose of this letter is to encourage his readers once more to moral steadfastness. Peter’s encouragement is important for two reasons: first because he was truly an eyewitness of Christ’s glory (i.e., the transfiguration, an event that must have deeply impressed Peter, but is cited here because it revealed the glory, power, and authority of Jesus and bound OT and NT together). Unlike the false teachers, his tradition is based on what God really did, not in mere speculation. Second, his experience confirms OT prophecy. Like Peter and his followers in the apostolic tradition, the OT prophets were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Thus the Spirit alone gives the true interpretation, and the idiosyncratic interpretations of the false teachers are therefore wrong.
Call to Virtue (1:3–21)
God has already acted to call Christians to himself. He has by sovereign grace given them all that is needed to truly live in a godly manner. And he has set fantastic promises before them. They must not allow themselves to be caught again in the moral morass of the world, for it was God’s purpose in saving them to enable them to escape from this trap. Instead they should become like Christ (“participate in the divine nature”) and must therefore grow in Christian virtue. If they fail in this growth they miss God’s promises, but zealousness to move forward will confirm their election and their future in heaven (1:3–11). Peter is about to die, as Jesus predicted (John 21:18-19). The purpose of this letter is to encourage his readers once more to moral steadfastness. Peter’s encouragement is important for two reasons: first because he was truly an eyewitness of Christ’s glory (i.e., the transfiguration, an event that must have deeply impressed Peter, but is cited here because it revealed the glory, power, and authority of Jesus and bound OT and NT together). Unlike the false teachers, his tradition is based on what God really did, not in mere speculation. Second, his experience confirms OT prophecy. Like Peter and his followers in the apostolic tradition, the OT prophets were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Thus the Spirit alone gives the true interpretation, and the idiosyncratic interpretations of the false teachers are therefore wrong.
7 Comments
Bruce
12/18/2015 11:09:25 pm
Throughout the new testament there are warnings about false prophets or false teachers. This is a scary thought for me. Its as scary as the thoughts of me paying for my sins by going to hell. I grew up in a church that I believe had false teachings in the law of being a Christian. Now there seems to be churches that are just as Peter described it. They teach, some things are ok, when scripture says just the opposite. The use the teachings of loving one another as the bible says we are to do, and twist it so people will fill their churches. As for me I would rather be taught what the bible says and follow Gods teachings, even if I don't like it, or if it scares me. In Matthew 7:15 Jesus's own words are "Watch out for false prophets. They will come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." Then there is Matthew 7:21 which is burned into my mind. " Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my father who is heaven." That as the Pastor put it " scares the pants off of me!!" It is much better to be scared here on Earth and get to heaven, than to be comfortable on Earth and burn in hell.
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Jeff
12/22/2015 06:50:36 am
This is a prayer we all need say
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Tammy
12/20/2015 12:55:10 pm
I didn't grow up in church. I thought if I died and I had some unconfessed sin I would go to hell. I didn't understand Jesus and what he did on that cross.
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Jeff
12/22/2015 06:51:04 am
Amen, to God's glory
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Bruce
12/20/2015 09:40:26 pm
The other night we had this conversation a conversation at work along the lines of false teachings. We agreed that some people think they are in a good place with God simply because they are a nice person. However, if they are not saved then being a nice person will not do them any good come judgment day.
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Tammy
12/21/2015 02:54:36 am
It would be nice for others to join this....however I believe God puts us with people and situations that will benefit us at the time. It not by accident that we are on here a lot of the time....it's how God has it set up for now. You never know who or what will touch someone through the words spoken here.
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Bruce
12/21/2015 08:55:51 pm
Thank you!! I'm glad that I have a good church family. I enjoy talking with them, and listening to how God is working in their lives as well. And I must say that this is an exciting time for me as well. I find myself thinking and praying about ways to bring others to God. I want everyone to know this feeling that I have and want them to enjoy it as much as I do.
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