It will be a growth by God's own hand, the work of His Spirit in us.
(Albany, OR)—The following passages were not designated by the Apostle Peter to be New Year's resolutions of course; 2 Peter 1:1-12 is just a portion of Scripture that points out what should be the goals of every follower of Jesus.
But as the new year is upon us, and as I spent some time in contemplation of the practice of making an annual personal goal, or "resolution," this Scripture came to mind in a very strong way.
These verses make up a message Peter felt was very important to convey. How do I know? Because just after it, in the next couple verses, Peter talks about his imminent death and how time is short before he must "put off this tent." A person who knows he could soon be dead will want to pass along his most vital information.
With that in mind, as you look at 2 Peter 1:1-12, you may notice there are four parts to the passage: Who, How, What and Why.
First the "Who." (2 Peter 1:1-2)
Peter presents his credentials, as a bondservant and Apostle of Jesus Christ. The word is addressed to those who have received the same precious faith—who are fellow Believers in Jesus (Yah Shua Messiah). So we trust the one from whom this message comes, as one who learned directly from Jesus and speaks as His "sent one" or Apostle. And we know that these following words are relevant to each of us who believe in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior.
Now, where most "how to" and "self help" books will list the objectives you want to achieve, later revealing the necessary steps for fulfillment, Peter puts the "how to" first! 2 Peter 1:3-4- "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
Peter gives us the key to achieving the goals he's about to list—through God's divine power, which He's already given to us when we first believed, and as we continue to believe. The key is knowing Him, being intimately acquainted with God in a one-to-one, person-to-person, communicative, experiential relationship. The kind which gives a person close knowledge of another.
Peter explains that it is through this knowledge of God, and of His Son Jesus, that He gives us exceedingly great and precious promises, which supply all we need to become partakers of God's own divine nature. And this allows us to escape the corruption that is so prevalent in the world.
I was intrigued by the meaning of the promises mentioned, since they seem to contain such power. In looking at the Greek transliteration, they are "epangelia" or "pre-evangelisms" which is translated as meaning "God's message to humanity which He's already given." (Exegeses Parallel Bible)
These are the "how to"—through God's Message, His word to us which we can tap into and really grasp as great and precious promises, when we really come to know God in a personal, intimate way. This is the power we have been given, which enables us to shine God's light in the darkness—living according to His will instead of succumbing to the corrupt nature of a fallen world.
Next, Peter lists the goals of growth for every Believer. (2 Peter 1:5-7)
We begin with having faith—that is our foundation—because faith is what we need in order to know God in that personal way. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, or to know Him, or to take part in His divine promises.
So, we start with our faith in God, then to that faith we add virtue. Virtue is described in the Greek as "intrinsic value, moral excellence." (And the same word "arête" was sometimes used in reference to the manifestation of God's miracle power.)
Peter continues; to our virtue we add knowledge—"gnosis"—which is "the recognition of truth by personal experience."
To that knowledge, we should add self control, which is "restraint of one's own desires and passions, especially sensually."
To self control we add patience or endurance, which is translated as "constancy."
To endurance add godliness or "reverence"—translated as meaning "to well venerate." In a practical way; to honor God with your life and living.
To godliness we add brotherly kindness. The direct Greek transliteration is "befriending brothers." I like that!
And finally, to that brotherly kindness we add love, which is translated as a "spiritual caring for—above and beyond that which is called soulical or physical."
Now, Peter gives us the "why." (2 Peter 1:8-11)
If these characteristics are found in us, and they abound, then we will not be useless or unfruitful. The one—Peter warns—who lacks these things, is blinded, shortsighted and has forgotten how he was first saved and purified by Jesus.
I believe as we look to this passage of Scripture to be our goal in this new year—pressing in to God, and into a closer, deeper relationship with Him as the means of achieving it—then we will look back at this time a year from now, and be able to see that growth. It will be a growth by God's own hand, the work of His Spirit in us.
Have a blessed and happy New Year!
Source: New King James Version, Exegeses Parallel Bible
No comments:
Post a Comment