September 28, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nobody likes to suffer, yet the witness of the Scriptures is uniform in declaring that suffering is one of God\u2019s greatest tools of transformation in the lives of His people. In his letters to the scattered church throughout Asia Minor, Peter addresses this issue and provides encouragement for believers who were under attack through persecution, oppression, and even direct attack by the enemy through false teachers. In the midst of their suffering, Peter reminds them to keep their eyes fixed on their eternal reward: Christ Jesus Himself! As we spend time over the next eight days reading the epistles of Peter, let\u2019s make it out goal to fix our eyes on Jesus and to maintain joy in Him even through the most difficult trials and suffering!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the opening chapter to his second epistle Peter gives us some incredible promises: God has already given us absolutely everything we need in order to live a godly life through Jesus! He calls his readers to pursue this kind of godly living by being ever increasing in certain qualities, such as faith, virtue, godliness, knowledge, and love. He says that if you are increasing in these qualities in your life, you will be effective for the Kingdom, assured of your salvation, and kept from falling!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter then goes on to recall his experience with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, how he had seen the glory of Jesus revealed and heard the Father\u2019s approval of the Son. He reminds his readers that their testimony about Jesus is the truth, and that it confirms the prophetic witness of the Old Testament prophets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is significant because Peter is about to address the issue of false prophets. He makes the distinction clear: true prophecy never arises from the heart of man, but comes from God as the prophet is carried along by the Holy Spirit. He tells his readers to pay close attention to the prophetic witness because it is like a light shining in the darkness; we would do well to do the same!<\/p>\n\n\n\n