2 Peter 1:1-4 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. 2. 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 a godly life 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, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

My mind goes back to a mature Christian lady that we adopted as our grandmother in my first church as a pastor. As the years passed her health declined.  When Judi and I last paid her a visit, she was lying in bed in a nursing home. Her breathing was belabored, her eyes were mostly closed, she could not talk, but when Judi and I walked into the room she sat up the best she could and smiled a toothless smile.           

As we sat with her watching her struggle for life, I reminded her of times we shared together. I reminded her of how much help she had been to us as a new younger pastor. I reminded her of Jesus whom she loved and served and in whose presence she would shortly go. I reminded her of the faith she had and the promises of God.

As we examine the book of 2 Peter, he reminds the believers of the things they possess because they also have faith in Jesus Christ. Instead of them being on a death bed, as it were, Peter writes as if it is his last and indeed it was the last Scripture he wrote. He wanted to cut right to the core of the matter as he told them to remember what they had as believers in Christ.

As I watched my friend suffering physical limitations, Peter watched these people suffer spiritual persecution. His first letter was to a suffering church and he encouraged them to keep the faith and taught them about God's perspective. Now he writes to what is probably Gentile believers. He tells them to keep their lives pure for three very important reasons.  In the first chapter he shares: it is because you belong to God and He has called you to Holiness.  In the second chapter he reminds them of the many false prophets and false teachings that if they did not remind themselves of the pure Word of God and stick close to the Word of God, they would be deceived not only in their lifestyle, but in their salvation itself. Finally, Peter concluded chapter three by reminding them of the Day of the Lord which is coming to judge and to redeem. There are both promises and warnings.           

Application:  This Week we will think together on the Christian’s benefits.

Prayer:  Thank You for Peters words that so strengthen us knowing that through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ we have received a faith as precious as ours. Your divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of You.   That through Your promises, we may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.