Cultivation of Christian Character

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Salutation

 ["Click here for II Peter 1:1-2"]

With this salutation, it is hard to believe that Peter did not write this letter as some believe. As we said in the introduction, we will assume that he did. A comparison between this salutation and the one in First Peter, will show some differences. In this letter, he calls himself, Simon Peter, while in the first letter he simply refers to himself as Peter. Many believe that he did this, on the assumption that he was writing to Christian Jews, because he was afraid that the omission of his name Simon, the name used at his circumcision. would make the Jewish believers less attentive to his warnings.

Notice he calls himself here, a servant as well as an Apostle, and the people to whom he was writing as people who had obtained a faith that was equal to theirs (Apostles). It is believed that he did this to contrast between false teachings and the teachings of the Apostles. Faith was often faked in the first century as it is today. Peer pressure is often the cause of this. Sometimes it is just the desire of a worldly person to emulate the characteristics of a believer. Matthew Henry believed that "true faith" was very uncommon in the church, and it was to those, that Peter was writing. To these, Peter said, "May the Grace and peace and knowledge of God be multiplied to you."

Peter believed that Grace and peace were the gifts of God. These were augmented by the knowledge of God given to them by the Holy Spirit. To these people who were being bombarded by false teachings, knowledge and Grace sufficient to know the truth, was greatly needed. So Peter prayed for this for these Christians.

Growth in Christ

["Click here for II Peter 1:3-15"]

In these verses, Peter establishes 13 Christian characteristics and the source of those characteristics. "His (God's) divine power has granted to us all things..." Then he proceeds to list those things, those Christian characteristics, that are granted to us by the Lord.

  1. Godliness. God-like-ness. Whatever good we possess, is a gift from God.
  2. Knowledge. We are enlightened by the Holy Spirit, educated so that we might now about God and His plan of salvation.
  3. Glory and excellence. A condition to which we are called, unattainable by human merit.
  4. Great promises. Precious promises granted as a gift to us.
  5. Escape from corruption. Escape from sin and the pitfalls resulting from it.
  6. A divine nature. Imputed righteousness, through faith in Him.
  7. Virtue. Dependable, truthful, honest.
  8. Knowledgeable. This is similar to No. 2, accept this is the ability to rightly discern knowledge.
  9. Self control. In all the passions of life, we need to exercise self control.
  10. Steadfastness. Again, dependable and unerring in our faith and doctrine.
  11. Godliness. Christ like manners, and traits not common to the unbeliever.
  12. Brotherly affection. Concern for one another.
  13. Love. Affection without love is hypocritical.

All these are ours by His divine power, if we claim them, and if we claim them, we will abound in them. If we do not, we will be spiritually blind, subject to "back sliding". Abound in these virtues and you will confirm your call and election into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Apparently Peter has told them of these things before, for he says in verse 12, "As long as I am in the body I intend, always, to remind you of these things, though you know them already, simply to arouse your remembrance." Peter realizes the frailties of humanity and was concerned for these people to whom he was writing. He intended to have them well versed in the "matters of the Spirit", so that after he departed from this life, they would be able to recall them from their memory. Then Peter goes on the establish the grounds for this belief in Christian growth.

Grounds for Belief

["Click here for II Peter 1:16-21"]

The first ground for his belief lied in the fact that they had not followed "cleverly devised myths". The Gospel is not some cleverly devised story to deceive mankind. It was not devised by 12 men to perpetrate a myth. This belief is based on the words of those who were "eyewitnesses" and "ear witnesses" to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. They witnessed the "Majesty" of Jesus in the account that Peter refers to, the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, (Matt. 3:13-17) when Jesus went up out of the water and the heavens opened up and the Spirit of God descended like a dove and a voice from Heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." He also refers to the account of the "Majesty" of Jesus there on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-8) in which the same thing happened.

Peter assures them that all that was prophesied in the Old Testament came true in the coming of Jesus Christ and that they would do well to pay attention to what he is saying. Remember Peter is trying to enlighten these people so that they will not fall for false teachings. The best weapon against false teachers is the truth, which Peter says is like the day break, it spreads and defuses itself through the whole day. Truth enlightens a person and it grows and spreads through the whole soul.

So the Gospel is not some cleverly devised myth but, like all scripture, is of a divine nature. It is the inspired Word of God. Jeremiah made that clear in Chapter 23 of his book when he said, "I have not done any works nor delivered any statue or ordinance of my own mind, but false prophets speak of their own heart not from the mouth of the Lord."

So Peter establishes here in the first chapter, the divine nature of the scriptures, "written by men who were moved by the Holy Spirit, spoke from God."


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