2 Peter 1 reminds me of Cairns. These stacked stone structures have been built as navigational aids for millennia. When set in barren areas, they can be seen from a great distance to mark safe passes. They can be confused with the recent practice of rock balancing for artistic or personal reasons. These Zen sculptures have, in some cases misguided trekkers. Today’s lesson is about helping the lost find their way. Much like his first letter, the apostle Peter writes to those who have come to faith in Christ without the benefit of Jewish education or training. Lacking that foundation, they were more susceptible to being swayed by false doctrine. He begins with an introduction, “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ”. He could have used a lofty title, but instead, he includes his childhood nickname because he was writing to his peers. He begins with a bold statement: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him”. Peter explains that God has given us “His very great and precious promises”. And by trusting in them, we too can “participate in the divine nature”. It is important to remember this is impulsive Peter, the disciple that always leaped before he looked. No disciple had a more dramatic transformation. He is an example of “having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires”.
Peter carefully stacks actions and attitudes together in order to mark the way for inexperienced Christians. He starts with a base: “make every effort to add to your faith goodness”. Goodness in the original Greek means to fearlessly defend the weak. He continues, “to goodness, knowledge”. This means to personally seek thorough understanding. To knowledge, he adds “self-control”. This word means, to master one’s desires and passions. To that pile, he adds, “perseverance”. That is, enduring trials with hopeful confidence. To that we are to include “godliness”. The word used means to maintain a personal reverence for God’s absolute supremacy. Peter adds “mutual affection”, or brotherly love. Finally, Pete places “love” on top. This word describes an unselfish, highly motivated, desire for benevolence. Stepping back, we see a stable orientation toward joyfully blessing others. Pursuing personal satisfaction can make us “nearsighted”. Peter assures believers that they will be most effective when they focus on sharing the forgiveness they have received.
He closes the chapter with a couple of reminders before packing up his tent. Peter knows he will soon put aside “the tent of this body”. He says he writes as a memorial, so that “after my departure you will always be able to remember these things”. He also confirmed the accuracy of what he writes: “we were eyewitnesses of His majesty”. Peter answers his critics in a way that invites exploration: “we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Deuteronomy 18:22 reminds us that, if a prophet is wrong even once, he is not a prophet. Peter writes, “the prophetic message” they preach is, “something completely reliable”. Perhaps understanding our tendency to drift, he points out that during uncertainty: “pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place”. Peter’s life represents the promise of complete restoration through faith in Christ. My friend, if you are feeling lost in uncertainty, hold onto the promise of God’s amazing grace “until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts”. He closes with a final caution about misleading signs. “Understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things”. Jesus pointed to the Father, the Spirit points to Christ. Prophets exalting themselves should be exposed. True prophets “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”. God’s Word is a trustworthy guide in times of despair.