Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of
Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained
like precious faith with us through the
righteousness of God and our Saviour
Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied
unto you through the knowledge of God,
and of our Jesus our Lord.
2Peter 1:1-2
This letter has been satisfactorily proved to be genuine and authentic from both its design and execution and shown to be connected to Peter's first letter. Apparently Peter wrote this letter in his old age as can be surmised from 2Peter 1:13-14. Peter once again has those Jews who have turned to Jesus Christ and away from the old Jewish religion and once again establishes and confirms the doctrines and instructions that he previously delivered to them. Peter exhorts them and by God providentially preserving this letter it is for us as well that God by means of His righteousness has given "precious gifts" and blessings and that they/we should endeavor to improve our walk with Jesus and improve our relationship to Him which are the graces and virtues God bestows upon His faithful followers. Peter describes himself as a servant and an apostle and this not some grandiose or pompous claim for himself or to make himself more complicated than he actually was so that he would hold some high position so that others would follow him. Peter was giving his credentials but reminded them that he was a servant, their servant to guide them and he was qualified for he walked and talked with Jesus and was one of the twelve original apostles. Therefore it was proper for Peter to give his credentials to aid others to enter into and remain in the service of Christ as well.
Faith is precious to all Authentic Christians and this Authentic Faith produces good fruit by aiding others to grow from the "milk" stage to that of eating "meat." This growth in faith causes a weak brother or sister to purify their heats and then they too aid others in their growth in faith and in their relationship to Jesus Christ. Faith justifies a person, not just any faith, but Authentic Christian Faith, in the sight of God as was written for us by Luke: "and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:39). All the promises of God are yours as one who has Authentic Christian Faith and exercises this faith for it is a gift of God delivered to you by the Holy Spirit who leads you as you read and hear the word of God (Romans 10:17). You are not saved by your works of faith as some teach but you are equipped as you apprehend Jesus and His merits which by His merits you are saved. As an Authentic Christian you are equipped for working and executing the business of God, and this faith by being equipped in the truth of God works godliness which no other faith can offer.
Faith is a free gift of God and you cannot earn it, but you can receive its blessing of salvation and giving to you an escape from the lusts of this world. True Authentic Christian Faith can keep you from corruption. This is the nature of faith and this nature of faith is your surety as it springs from a regenerate heart and this nature of faith is founded upon Jesus Christ who paid your debt so that you can have His nature in you. All the fullness of Jesus Christ dwells in you: "And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace" (John 1:16). This reception of His grace and mercy are renewed in their spirit and mind and have given to them the liberty as a child of God. This liberty is founded upon your understanding, your wills, and affections that are conformed to the nature of God. God saves, you must by your will change your nature to conform to Jesus Christ and we have the blueprint to do what is correct so that our temple is not built and corrupted.
As this blog has as its goal, that is to consider our faith and this goal, faith, Authentic Christian Faith, is not a premise for it is built upon the sure word of God rightly translated that is why often a clear understanding of the original Greek language is given to you. As Christians we are partakers of all that God has promised and gives to His children and He is making us to become conformed to the image of Jesus Christ which is to be in righteousness, goodness, and truth. The question is: will we flee from the world that is crumbling and will be destroyed? Or, are we keeping on that narrow road that leads to God, to heaven, to an eternal life, immutable, a life that we cannot fully understand until we arrive in that new world.
This is the greatest of all love: God first loved us and died for us demonstrating His great love which He will bestow upon anyone who will put their faith, their trust in Him and convert which is shown in your life, a life that is changed into the nature of Jesus Christ.
Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted,
you who are far from righteousness.
I am bringing my righteousness near,
it is not far away; and my salvation
will not be delayed. I will grant salvation
to Zion, my splendor to Israel.
Isaiah 46:12-13
Are you growing into the nature of Jesus?
Richard L. Crumb
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