Forward, in Faith!
2 peter 1:1-11
Main Idea: Genuine faith in Christ unites, conforms, and compels us to glorify Him in all areas of our lives.
I. Know Your Faith (1:1-4)
2 Peter 1:1-2: Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV): "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
2 Peter 1:3-4: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
“What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God. “This is life eternal, that they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight, and contentment than anything else? Knowledge of God. “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me” (Jeremiah 9:23). What, of all the states God ever sees man in, gives him most pleasure? Knowledge of himself. “I desire … the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings,” says God (Hosea 6:6).… Once you have become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord.”
~ J.I. Packer, Knowing God
II. Supplement Your Faith (1:5-9).
2 Peter 1:5-7: For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
1 John 4:7-8: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
2 Peter 1:8-9: 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. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
“Peter basically says that the believer’s re-creation into the image of Christ comes about by way of active participation in the pursuit of knowing him more and more. Many believers limit their knowledge of God to their conversion. “I came to know Christ” or “I believed in Christ” are frequent confessions, as if knowing him was a one-time deal tied to conversion. But knowing God, Peter says, is a lifetime pursuit. And it’s the avenue through which God’s children access all the powerful resources he’s provided to make them look more like Jesus.”
~ James Shaddix and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 2 Peter, Jude
III. Confirm Your Faith (1:10-11)
2 Peter 1:10-11: Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Confirming is different than earning in several ways. In this sense, Peter urges us that no one has been saved by simply a profession of faith. You must possess it as well as profess it. This faith is graciously given from God alone and unites us to him. It never lulls us to sleep but compels us toward Christ and His kingdom.
Luke 22:31-32: Simon, Simon behold Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
“With his own death imminent, Peter is set to strengthen those of us who follow in his train centuries later. It is as if by this letter, he lives today and can still be found preaching on how to move from falling to finishing well. Second Peter is his road map to Heaven. It confirms that we can also possess a faith that will not fail. On that fateful night long ago, Jesus told Peter that he had been praying for him—especially that his faith would not fail. That same Jesus stands today at the right hand of God interceding in like manner for you and for me.”
~ David Helm, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude
