NOTE; THREE times Peter writes to the believers to REMIND THEM. – {v12-15} The problem is not that they or we don’t know Truth, But that we often FORGET THE TRUTH WE DO KNOW– and need to be REMINDED! Part of Peter’s Ministry was THE MINISTRY OF REMEMBRANCE; Reminding the Believers of TRUTH, so they could connect Who they are “In Christ” what they have “In Christ,” and what they KNOW “in Christ.”For example they have “EVERYTHING THEY NEED FOR Life and Godliness” It is not that they are deficient but at times like them we too need to be REMINDED We have all we need “In CHRIST” to live this life …
CONSIDER GOD’S PROVISIONS;
1. POWER FOR LIVING;
“…By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. “-{v3}.
To Live a Godly life takes “Divine Power.” The good news God has “given us everything we need for living a Godly life.”
- PROMISES FOR LIVING;
and they have “PRECIOUS AND MAGNIFICENT PROMISES” to be appropriated. “… And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.’- {v4}.
He has again gifted, “Given us” Note not just Given Peter or a few choice servants but he uses the word, “US”- all believers have been Gifted these precious and magnificent promises! Great and Precious promises” not to merely recite, admire but appropriate!
- PROGRESS IN LIVING;
“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.”-{v5-7}
He tells them to Grow or “add to…” “make every effort,…” NOTE; it is not “Let Go and Let God,” but he calls them to work out their salvation and it requires, discipline, dedication and Thinking Right and Doing right {Read Phil 4:8-9} They are personally responsible in following The Lord’s will and ways in growing in their faith and developing Godly traits! Maturing in their faith… It is not a stagnant or dead faith but a living faith, that is changing us from the inside out, through his Divine Power and Promises at work. Phil 2:13 says God is at work IN You both to desire and do for His good pleasure.”…
- PRODUCTIVE LIVING;
“The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”- {v8}
- PROBLEM!
” But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins”-{v 8-9}
- PROOF;
“So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”- {v10-11}, Give evidence that you are His!
- PONDERING ON SCRIPTURE; “Remind You“
“Therefore, I WILL ALWAYS REMIND YOU about THESE THINGS—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. “- {v12} “…And it is only right that I should KEEP ON REMINDING YOU as long as I LIVE.” –{v13} “.. For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, so I WILL WORK HARD to make sure you always REMEMBER THESE THINGS …AFTER I am GONE.“-{ v 14-15}. He takes personal responsibility to know “THESE THINGS” for himself and then taking interest in others to REMIND THEM, by passing them on as well as writing them down, where you and I benefit also!
THREE TIMES he writes to “REMIND them “ He said he would “work hard” at this for their present benefit and for after he leaves them, to RECALL, when the LORD takes him home! He works hard at the MINISTRY OF REMEMBRANCE to benefit OTHERS!
Peter reminds them of the LORD, Who HE IS And what they have as a result of Him and he invests in others by KNOWING the Truth, SHARING the truth again and again with them for their benefit by investing his life into their lives with the WORD OF GOD!
KNOW THE TRUTH
HIDE THE TRUTH IN YOUR HEART
SHARE THE TRUTH
REMIND OTHERS WITH THE TRUTH
REPEAT AGAIN AND AGAIN!