January 29, 2022: Day 23 – II Peter 1-3

Peter once again self-identifies but this time as Simon Peter, which is a name that is more familiar to us than just Peter for this disciple.  He again appeals to those who believe in Jesus Christ, that’s us, to live our lives as worthy of our calling.  He lifts up the scene on the Mount of Transfiguration (you can find that story in Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, and Luke 9:35) when Peter, James and John went together and Peter made a fool of himself:  Lord, let us make three dwelling places so that Moses and you and Elijah can stay her for eternity.  The answer from God was basically, be quiet, this is my son with whom I am well pleased, and then the kicker, Listen to Him!

Those last three words are crucial for any of us.  We must ensure that our lives are a reflection of listening to him.  The second chapter is a warning against false teachers and how they will take people who are unsuspecting and make them into followers of destruction.  I can’t help but think that with the blending of this heresy called Christian nationalism, some of this is taking place.  People are being led to believe that God is calling a certain political way of thinking to take precedent over how Christ calls us to live.  

The final chapter brings us to an expectation that we all ought to have knowing that Jesus is coming back.  So much time has passed by now that the sense of urgency which the 1st century Christians felt, has somewhat dissipated.  When Peter is writing he is experiencing a very present and real expectation that Jesus could come back any day.  We ought to have that same feeling, but with the passing of time, it seems like that expectation has become less acute.  But nevertheless we must follow what Peter tells us to do in vs.17 and 18: …be on your guard…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

3 thoughts on “January 29, 2022: Day 23 – II Peter 1-3

  1. Caroline

    Each of the qualities Peter lists in 2P 1:5-7 is to “supply” the next higher one on the list.
    Brotherly kindness, without love, is dry
    Godliness, without brotherly kindness, does not seem godly at all but only a show
    Perseverance, without godliness, can serve anything including what is evil
    Self-control, without perseverance, is erratic
    Knowledge, without self-control, is limited: learning takes discipline
    Moral excellence and knowledge are related: the more one knows about choices and possible consequences, the better the chance of making moral choices.
    Faith, without moral excellence (and all of the other qualities that contribute), can be present but may be weakly felt or demonstrated.

    2P 1:5-15 is guiding, 2P 1:16-21 is reassuring

    Is prosperity theology also a current heresy?

    Reply
    1. Robert Bronkema Post author

      What is called the prosperity Gospel is absolutely, unfortunately, alive and well. I’m not sure how it relates to II Peter, but we see it in the form of any teacher who states that God’s desire for us is not just to meet our needs, but to make us wealthy. The statement by Jesus on the sermon on the Mount, blessed are the poor, is then spiritualized and the poor are considered those who are “poor in spirit” and not actually poor. I am convinced that Jesus had a propensity for the poor and that possibly he and his disciples were actually called “the poor”. Now, I do believe that God has promised to meet our needs, but it is easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than…, well, you know the rest.

      Reply
      1. c

        I didn’t think it related to II Peter but wondered about it when you mentioned Christian nationalism. I guess, from what you said, that prosperity theology relates to II Peter 2:1 since it has its own false prophets.

        Reply

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