By God’s Power

November 22, 2009

Lesson: 2 Peter 1:1–15

Key Verse: 2 Peter 1:3

Introduction

The Apostle Peter gives us, in the so-called nutshell, what is the true character of the child of God, writing to “them that have obtained like precious faith with us, through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Calvin clearly understands this teaching: “This is a commendation of the grace which God had indiscriminately showed to all his elect people; for it was no common gift, that they had all been called to one and the same faith, since faith is the special and chief good of man.”

Our faith is a precious faith, a like faith declared by Abraham and Daniel, of Paul and Peter, of the saints who are the elect of God the Father. This measure of faith is that “divine power” given to us, enabling every chosen saint, whatever their station in life, to know Christ in his death and resurrection, to know his righteousness by which we are clothed, to know that salvation is ours in the Son of God. We are, with all the saints, to look “unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).

Gifts and Promises—2 Peter 1:1–4

Simon Peter, by using the term “servant,” presents himself to the church as one among many ministers of the Word of Christ. This apostle of Christ Jesus sees himself as one who is a servant, a slave, whose will is absorbed in the will of the Master. Peter is that one of whom Christ spoke in a parable, saying, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” (Matt. 24:45–46). However, he comes also as one who has been set before them as an apostle appointed by Christ Jesus. He is one whom the Lord has sent to be an ambassador of the mysteries of heaven. Peter comes in the name and authority of his Master, Christ Jesus the risen Son of God. Paul designates the office of an apostle, writing that he is “a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God” (Rom. 1:1).

It is to this gospel that Simon Peter refers when he writes “To them who obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” They had rejoiced in the gospel preachers, of whom it is spoken, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things” (Rom. 10:15). Peter adds the words, “through the righteousness of … Christ,” to remind us that faith is not something which we bestow upon ourselves. The saints of God “did not obtain faith through their own efforts or strength, but through God’s favor alone” (Calvin). God’s Word attests to this truth, saying that ‘the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:21–24).

Peter assigns this benediction to the saints: “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” Grace acknowledges the loving favor God bestows upon His people. “Peace is added; for as the beginning of our happiness is when God receives us into favor; so the more he confirms his love in our hearts, the richer blessing he confers on us, so that we become happy and prosperous in all things” (Calvin).

It is through the knowledge of God our Father, and the one who sent his Son to us, “as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” It is through the knowledge of God who has “called us to glory and virtue,” by which we have been given “exceeding great and precious promises.” And it is through these precious promises that we may partake “of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” The saints of Peter’s time, and the saints of today, have been delivered out of the darkness of the sin of this world, into the light of life in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Discussion: Why is the faith which is of Christ called precious?

Faith and Growth—2 Peter 1:5–15

Because we now possess a divine nature, we acknowledge that we are still at war with the old nature, that we must continually die to sin and purposely live to Christ; we are now able to grow in the grace and faith afforded us in Christ. Therefore, Peter admonishes the saints, that for the very reason that they enjoy a new and divine nature, they are able, and so must, with all diligence, “add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” We are to adorn our faith with good morals, wisdom, and acts of righteousness, and that love which comes from God our Father; that we may have our faith shine forth in the works of kindness and love toward one another. Therefore, build your faith on truth as revealed in the Word of God.

Fruitfulness is the work of the Spirit in and through us. Faith is exercised as we bear the fruit of the Spirit in Christ Jesus. Faith without works is dead. Faith without fruit is not true faith. Faith unites us to the Savior. Faith is a precious gift of God. By grace we have been saved through faith in the Son of God; for “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Therefore, these things—faith and virtue, knowledge and self-control, love and kindness and godliness—are ours in Christ. We will abound in these things and be fruitful in Christ. These things prove that Christ is in us, and we in him. We therefore diligently seek these things, that we might not be like the one who is “shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” We are those who take seriously the words of our Lord, who says, “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Our calling and election by the Father in Christ are made sure in the doing of these things. Not that we are saved by our fruits or works, but that they make mature what God has given us in Christ. “For our entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” This is your pilgrimage on earth as you look forward to the coming of your King and Savior. “God, by ever supplying you abundantly with new graces, will lead you to his own kingdom” (Calvin).

Discussion: How does the Scripture guide us in our faith and growth?