2 Peter 1 - Remind Each Other to Grow
Well, let’s move on to Peter’s second letter. But before we do, let me recommend a book co-written by a man I met earlier this year, Ken Boa. It’s called Recalibrate Your Life - Navigating Transitions with Purpose and Hope. It’s a great reminder and encouragement no matter what you are going through.
Now, back to Second Peter. We do not know the number of our days. We may have decades or just days left in this earthly life. The better question or the more important one is, Do we know the Alpha and the Omega, the Source of David and the heir to his thrown (Rev. 22:13, 16)? In this short letter from Peter, we are given a frank and resounding reminder to make sure we not only know Jesus but that we grow as He commands us to grow.
Like Peter, we will have ups and downs. Peter knew despondency. But he also knew Jesus' divine power and Holy Spirit's strength to persevere. Peter, the rock and the fisherman was reminded by Jesus of his calling to lead well, to 'feed His sheep.' Some reminders take repetition. In this passage, we too are reminded by Peter. Respond. Wake up. Grow up. Grow in Christian moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.
By God’s grace we are alive and have an opportunity today (no matter the bad news, challenges, changes, or difficulties) to grow in our Saviour so that we will be more productive and useful for our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are encouraged to work hard. Like love, that is the mark of a Churchman. God’s bench is deep, but everyone must play. We are warned by Peter to always keep eternity and God’s new heaven and new earth in mind - a new world filled with God’s righteousness (Rev. 21 and 2 Peter 3:13).
Shame on any man who makes this world his aim. Such shortsightedness, nay, blindness. It will tangle him up and enslave him to sin.
We need reminders. It’s the way we are wired. For we know how quickly we forget (James 1:24 - can you remember what you look like after you see yourself in the mirror?).
Let’s remind ourselves and our families today how important our relationship with God is. And secondly, how important our relationships with each other are. Love one another. By doing so we give glory to God through our Rescuer, Jesus Christ.
Peter reminds us that we share something with people who have lived all over the world, now and for two millennia. Something that binds us as family members despite our many differences. We share the same precious faith in our God and saviour, Jesus Christ (1:1). We are family. Blood is thicker than water.
Our faith in Christ is precious because it means we are loved by the Most High the One True God. He knows our names. He forgives us of our sins and gives us grace as we grow in the knowledge of God.
Our job is to grow. To respond to God’s promise with action. The growth mindset is the Christian mindset in action. Peter says we have all we need to grow and live godly lives. That’s true (1:3). Just an educated guess, but I think there is great despair in the church today. In Church last Sunday the Pastor asked how many were feeling despair and half the hands went up. Kinda shocking. People are down. We are looking for more. We don’t doubt God’s power, but many are exhausted by life. It’s tough. Ups and downs. Work, relationships, getting old, sickness, failure, loss, and disappointment in ourselves and others.
God’s grace and the miracle of our saving faith in Christ are what we need to remember and focus on. Despite the challenge, we are to trust God’s promises. We are no accident of evolution. We are each loved by God. We are not forgotten. By divine power, God has saved us. Remind each other of God’s marvelous glory and excellence. God is the Champion. Jesus is the Victor - it is His promise and His power that encourages us to keep going today.
By God’s grace alone we will escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires (1:4).
Dear Jesus please show us what you value today and help us to treasure that. Help us to support each other and to be promoted to come alongside anyone that needs help. Anyone. We know that we have all we need to live godly lives and that we must respond to Your promises with growth. Please bless our day today. And help us to work hard and then to reset and rest, as we all need to do, in your grace. Amen.
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