1 Peter 1:3-4

OBSERVATION/EXPLANATION

This was written 3 years ago when I started that study of 2 Peter.  It’s very personal, and I suspect that you’ll be able to see my emotions in the words.  Because of that, I almost didn’t post it; but then I realized that it is much more effective at explaining the meaning of verses 3 and 4 than my usual method.  It also reveals God’s perfect timing and omnipotence in the fact that my study led me to these verses very obviously on the very day I needed them.  God is so good!!

COMMENTS

This world is evil.  Things happen that shouldn’t happen.  Sometimes, the weight of the evil around me weighs on my heart, a burden that is too heavy to bear.  I always know it’s there; but sometimes, it hits in an unexpected manner and reminds me once again:  This world is evil.

NOTES

Then, God speaks to me—again, the Always-Faithful One—and He reminds me that He has provided for me, even in this circumstance:

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness 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 and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”  (2 Peter 1:3-4)

This is such a rich passage—complicated yet simple.  God, in His power, glory, and goodness, provided a way for me to ESCAPE the corruption in the world. 

Escape.  The word implies captivity.  Evil desires imprison us.  We suffer as a result of the evil desires of others.  We cause suffering to others as a result of our own evil desires.  The victim becomes the perpetrator.  It’s a seemingly never-ending cycle. Frustrating.  Discouraging.  Painful.

Yet, God doesn’t leave me in that helpless and hopeless state.  Rather than dwelling on the sentiments expressed in the previous paragraph, I go back to the one before that.  GOD, IN HIS POWER, GLORY, AND GOODNESS, PROVIDED A WAY FOR ME TO ESCAPE THE CORRUPTION IN THE WORLD!  What is His escape plan?  “Knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”  As I know Him more and more, as I respond to His call, and as I receive and witness the fulfillment of His promises, I "participate in [His] divine nature and escape the corruption in the world”.  My own evil desires are replaced with the desire to be like Him, and the pain I experience as a result of the evil desires of others is covered with His healing oil. 

The burden eases, and I am at peace.

2 Peter 1:1-2

COMMENTS

About 3 years ago, I began a journey to study 2 Peter.  I got only a short way into the first chapter before the Lord redirected me.  I now find myself drawn to start that journey again.  I guess we’ll see where it takes us….

So that you don’t have to search through my blog, I’m reposting the one on verses 1-2 that I did back then.  We’ll move on from there.  I’m looking forward to this!  See you soon ;-).

NOTES

As I started reading the first chapter of 2 Peter, I was prepared to quickly read the greeting and then move on to the “meat”.  However, I found myself fascinated with Peter’s opening words:

“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.”

What an incredible salutation to a letter!  There’s plenty of “meat” right there—no need to read any further today.  How often have I missed a beautiful beginning because I assumed it was only a First Century “hi”?

Begin with Peter’s very first phrase:  “a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ”.  That’s how he identifies himself.  How do I identify myself?  Wife of my husband?  Mother of my children?  Grandmother of my grandchildren?  Friend of my friends?  Consultant to my clients?  All of that is important; but what’s MOST important should be that which defines who I am at my core:  a servant of Jesus Christ.  I wonder if my attitudes and actions would be different if I more often identified myself primarily in that role and relationship….  Hmmmm.  Worth considering.

The second thing that grabbed my attention was the way he identified those to whom the letter was sent:  “those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours”.  In his salutation to them he spoke a gospel reminder to them of their identity.  They were followers of Jesus because of His righteousness and the faith He had given them.  Their identity was as important to Peter as was his own.  And note that he defines that faith as “precious”.  How often do I stop and realize just how precious my faith is?  Do I take it for granted?  Too often, the answer is “yes”.

Finally, Peter expresses his desires for them in a lovingly instructional manner:  “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”  Don’t I wish “grace and peace” to those I care about?  Don’t I wish that “in abundance”?  How are they to obtain it?  By knowing God and Jesus Christ.  The only way any of us will have the grace and peace we desire is by continually seeking to know our God more intimately.  And that kind of knowledge implies a faith that is put into action.

A powerful message in only a few easily-overlooked words….