“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: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 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. 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” (2 Peter 1:1-4, NIV).
It was in 1968 that I saw the first eruption of Mayon volcano (Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines). With a heart of a “high school” student, it seemed my heart then would also explode with mixed emotions of fear and thrill.
Some of us today, may also experience a sense of fear or whatever in the present activity of Mayon. But, are we aware of the threat of the “explosion” of false teachings, false hopes, negativism, materialism, indifference and other harmful practices or attitudes that are creeping in our Christian life?
During the present activity of Mayon, there’s a need for us to have emotional stability. But because of these destructive spiritual explosions that are actually happening around us, or even within ourselves, we need to HAVE SPIRITUAL STABILITY -- and that’s what we are going to focus on as we deal with our text (2 Peter 1:1-4).
So, how could we have spiritual stability? In our text, what could we learn in order to strengthen or stabilize ourselves in spite of the negative or destructive assaults, including false teachings that bombard us in this world?
The letter of 2 Peter was also written by Peter, but unlike 1 Peter, it was addressed not only to the believers scattered in Asia Minor, but it was directed to all believers scattered even beyond the place.
In 1 Peter, the writer noted the persecutions suffered by the believers, but in 2 Peter, he pointed out the false teachings that they would face not only after his death, but even in their current situation.
It was written when it was much closer to his martyrdom in A.D. 68.
And Peter would like to make sure that before his death, his readers would learn how they could combat erroneous teachings, or how to deal with false preachers.
This time we can also learn from Peter not only how to battle erroneous or false teachings, but also to parry negative influences, or wrong and harmful thoughts that bombard our mind and threaten our spiritual stability.
So, how should we have that spiritual stability?
First, TREASURE GOD GIVEN FAITH.
In verse 1, we read: “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” (NIV).
The New Living Translation renders it this way: “This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.”
At the very start of his letter, Peter pointed out to his original readers that their faith is just as precious as he and the other original apostles have. The faith of his readers was not inferior. So, they could not just take it lightly. They should not regard it with lesser value that they could just let it go, or take it aside and choose another kind of faith or another set of beliefs promoted by others.
And their faith was precious because it was not just their own making, but God gave it to them. And He gave it, not because they deserve it. It was given to them not through their own worth or effort, but because “through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
And He did not give that kind of faith only to the apostles, to a specific class of people, but even to ordinary kind of people; not just to a particular race, the Jewish people, but even to the Gentile people.
Today, Christians need also to see the great worth of the faith they have. And it’s value is not determined by how much effort or how willing they are to have it, but by the Worth of the One who gave it – the Righteous God Himself.
And they ought to realize that their faith is also the same faith that enabled the Christians before to cast out demons, heal the sick and raise the dead! And the same faith that transformed Paul from life of persecuting Jesus’ followers into a life of preaching Jesus and suffering for His Name.
It’s the same faith that believers in the Bible, “…conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated -- the world was not worthy of them…” (Heb. 11:33-8A.)
Thus, as we consider the value of this faith, we need to hold on to it – not on the teachings or practices in this world. We should not allow harmful practices of others or even our own failures to hamper our appreciation for it.
We should not allow alluring earthly thoughts or false beliefs that are promoted in this world to diminish our desire for this God given faith.
How about us, saints? What kind of faith do we have? Is it the faith just promoted by some inspirational or self-improvement books? Is it the faith that just makes you feel good as proclaimed by self-appointed prophets or preachers?
Or, is it the God given faith – the same precious faith that comes from hearing or reading the Word of God? If it is so, let’s treasure it. Let’s not trade it with just any kind of religious sentiments or feelings or faith in one’s ability.
Remember if we are true believers, we have the same kind of faith. The same Righteous God gave it to us. So, we have no ground to feel envious or to be proud, because we have the same precious faith.
And if we really recognize its value, we will not get tired of digging into the Word of God to have and nourish it. For as we read Romans 10:17 in the English Standard Version: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
So, are we excited to attend every opportunity where the word is preached?
Do we invest more time in reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word?
Do we cherish the habit of storing it in our bank memory? We would be doing those things, if we also treasure God given faith.
Aside from treasuring this kind of faith, how could we have spiritual stability?
Second, TREASURE GOD’S DIVINE POWER.
Let’s read verses 2-3, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 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.”
Peter pointed out to the Christians then that they have an access to God’s divine power, wherein they could enjoy grace, peace and everything they needed for a godly life.
In other words, they didn’t need other ideas, knowledge, or teachings in order for them to be sufficient in their spiritual life.
During their time, the gnostics would promote a kind of knowledge that for them was even important than faith. But, Peter emphasized that the knowledge they needed was the knowledge of God.
And through this knowledge, they could experience God’s divine power. Their knowledge of the true God was much superior than whatever this world could offer.
Certainly, even today Christians ought to admire God’s Divine Power.
And we could perceive it in many ways.
Last Monday night (1-22-18), I was on the roof top of our house while I was enjoying in watching the glowing lava flowing down from the mouth of Mayon. Then, I noticed an extra sparkle at the tip of the volcano. I felt a strange feeling. If I had a telescope, I would focus on that portion.
Later, as if there was something coming out of the mouth and it was forming into a dome! It appeared to be a half-ball of fire that was ready to be thrown upward. And finally it came out not as a ball of fire, but now as if like a rectangular shaped of fire and I was expecting that it would explode like a fountain, as I witnessed many years before when Mayon erupted.
But it didn’t happen that way. Rather, the rectangular shaped of fire continued to shoot skyward, until it appeared like a pillar of fire! Never before I witnessed such fire-power of Mayon, since 1968 eruption when I was in awe for the first time, while it’s majestic power was displayed!
And ecstatic feeling of joy, peace, confidence, or other gift of grace that we need could also burst forth in our Christians life, as we experience God’s Power when He would make known Himself to us. When we know Him as our Healer, we could experience His power of healing. When we know Him as Provider, we could experience His power of provision. When we know Him as our Father, we could experience His power of comfort, security, encouragement and hope that is certain. When we know Him as our Delight, we could experience His power of joyful satisfaction. When we know Him as our God, we could experience His power to accomplish what is impossible!
How about us, saints – do we treasure God’s divine power?
Then, let’s become more acquainted with Him. Let’s not be content with what we know of Him. Let’s consult often the Personal Word, Jesus, His Son, so we may know more about His Father. Let’s read through the written Word. But, after reading through it, we don’t have to expect that we already know the Divine Author completely. If we are still alive, start reading it again.
The pillar of fire that I saw on the mouth of Mayon did not remain for long. I was really fortunate that I was able to have a full view of it, because was on the roof top, which as if I was on the 3rd floor of the house. At the time of the incident, my wife was on the first floor. So, when I shouted at her to come up, she had to run and use two stairs: going to the second floor and going to the rooftop.
So, when she arrived on the rooftop, the fire which liked a pillar was now subsiding and turning into just like a pole! If she was on the rooftop like myself at the start of the incident, she too could have behold a more stunning sight.
Let us not remain on the “first floor knowledge” of God. Let us level up.
Endeavor to go up to catch a full view of His Divine Power. Read the Bible again and again. After reading through it, read it again until you finish it.
Students and young ones, then, use your time not only in your academic studies or whatever youthful interest. Do not neglect knowing your Maker.
Once young or aged, let’s continue to exercise our mind. Let’s not stop to accumulate knowledge – especially the knowledge that we could bring in the next life: the knowledge of God.
Finally, how could we have spiritual stability?
Third, TREASURE GOD’S PROMISES.
We read in verse 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.”
Peter would like the believers then whose spiritual stability were threatened by false teach-ings to ponder on God’s promises to them. And to note that those promises were “very great and precious.” Nothing in this world could match them. No matter how alluring or desirable the earthly offer could be.
The Apostle would like, even when he already be gone, that the believers would see not only the physical benefits of the promise of God, but also their spiritual and eternal benefits. Because of His promises not only they were able to escape the corruption in the word, as they tempered their evil desires, but also they might participate or share in the Divine Nature.
And what promise in this world could give them greater than to share in the Nature of God?
Is there anyone of us here would say he didn’t receive or didn’t make a promise in his life?
Until now I could still remember a promise to me by my father, when I was just in the elementary. In my way to my school, then, there was a certain department store which has a toy bike (w/ three wheels) on display. I told my father about it. He said that if we have the money he would buy it for me.
So, every time, I would pass by in that department store and see the bike, I would be filled with gladness and excitement that someday it would be mine.
Until the time came that when I passed by in the department store and saw the bike, my interest for it was completely gone! I realized, then, that I had grown up and became bigger. My interest was already different. At that point in time, even a real bike with two wheels did not appeal to me anymore.
But, we will never “outgrow” God’s promises to us. According to Peter, they are “very great and precious promises”! They are not just physical blessings that our desire would wane once we we’re filled. It’s so great that our physical faculties ought to be glorified first, so we could fully experience the glorious joy of what was promised!
And the One who made the promise is so Great – the Creator and Owner of all things and His Excellence is Supreme. Would He just give His people a 3-wheel-cycle worth of promise? Absolutely not!
Do we have any idea of the worth His promise to us? A truck-load of gold? A dozen planets? A galaxy?
Actually, it’s priceless. It’s the blood of His Only Begotten Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ!
So, let’s treasure God’s promises.
If we who are in the church, do treasure His promises what should we do?
Young people, would you go to your peers in the world and solicit their promises? Once young, would we succumb to the advertisements, promotions, or invitations of this world that promise all good things that would please our senses?
Or, should we again go to the Word of God and savor His promises? For they are not only “very great and precious,” but He who promised is Sovereignly able to fulfill all what He said.
The Psalmist declared in Psalm 119:50, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
Verse 140, “Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.”
And verse 148, “My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s go to our Bible and ponder on the very great and precious promises of our God.
In closing, again, in order for us to have spiritual stability, let’s treasure God given faith, treasure God’s Divine power and treasure God’s promises.
It’s my prayer that a great “explosion” will occur! Of course, not the explosion of Mayon. But a different kind of explosion that each one us will experience. It’s an explosion that will happen in our heart. An explosion to treasure God given faith, an explosion to treasure God’s Divine power and an explosion to treasure God’s.
May that explosion be so great that it would be evident or manifested in our action to be so determined not just to read a portion or a chapter of the written Word daily, but to complete reading the Bible again and again and storing a great chunk of the Word in our heart!
