Living With Truth
2 Peter 1:3-4, 10-21
Long ago, Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Today, we are more likely to hear the same question a different way. “Is the Bible true?” Or “Is the Bible’s account of Jesus true?” Or even, “How can we know what the Bible says about salvation through Jesus is true?” Perhaps these or similar questions most often come from nonbelievers, either from those who are searching for the truth or those who think they’ve found it outside the Bible. But sometimes these questions come from Christians. Something happens that produces some doubt for them, and they need to be certain they are living with truth, that their faith is not in vain. Peter confronts this issue and more in 2 Peter.
Peter’s second letter is an impassioned plea for believers to grow in their faith and to guard themselves against false teachers. Peter recognized that his time was short and that the need for mature Christians was urgent (1:13-15). He begins by affirming that God has given believers everything they need for life and godliness (1:3). Christians have the Holy Spirit and are capable of living the godly life God requires. Christians also share in the divine nature (1:4), meaning that we are growing in godly character, not that we are becoming God. The fact that we are growing as Christians, leaving the sins of our previous life behind, testifies to the truth of the gospel. And the more we choose to live for God, the more confidence we will have that our faith is true.
In 1:12-18, Peter calls upon the church to defend the testimony of the gospel. He wants them to remember the message that was shared in the beginning, and also his personal eyewitness account of the Lord’s majesty. Peter witnessed Jesus transfigured on the mountain, and, throughout the persecution he endured, Peter could think back to what he saw that night. Although we did not see the Lord transfigured as Peter did, we also have eyewitness testimony of God doing work in our lives and in the lives of others. God has healed the sick, brought financial breakthroughs, worked reconciliation in fractured relationships, etc. — and all of these testify to the reality of God.
Lastly, Peter challenges Christians to turn to the inspiration of Scripture (1:19-21). Scripture at that time was the Old Testament, as the New Testament was still being recorded. The Scriptures, particularly prophecies of Jesus, were confirmed. These prophecies were not the result of man’s desire or plan, but men were guided by the Holy Spirit. Returning to the Scriptures, specifically prophecies fulfilled in Jesus, provides us further confidence that our faith is true.
Sands– Lessons in the ETB series for the fall quarter are being written by Alex Sands, pastor of Kingdom Life Christian Center, Mauldin.