Faithful on Fridays Blog

When Peter wrote this second time to the now Jewish and Gentile believers it became his farewell letter since his death was approaching (vs. 15). These first fifteen verses were reminders of God’s valuable and magnificent promises (vs. 4) helping us fully live for Him. 

He directed our attention (vs.3) to the Spirit’s dunamis, supernatural power, leading us to a godly life through knowing Him. By using the phrase ‘divine nature’ we’re reminded that our sin nature doesn’t control us anymore; we are new creations in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17) thinking and acting differently.

Peter is well-acquainted with the new nature since he had grown into this zoe, God’s kind of life, while walking with Jesus. He reminds us to make every effort to live in zoe and described this life as a chorus of faith (vs. 5). He used the phrase ‘add to or supplement’ your faith with a list of character traits, the Greek word for ‘chorus’; our godly life should be like a chorus line as we grow and mature in faith continuously adding these dance moves. 

• Add to your chorus of faith and trust in God virtue; a morally excellent life that’s beyond criticism or disapproval.
• Step into the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding you receive while spending time with God, getting to know Him.
• Learn to dominate your thinking, self-control, with the spiritual knowledge you received in your time with God. 
• As you patiently endure, steadfastness, you’ll have good soil in your heart that bears fruit (Luke 8:15).
• Your response of a godly life (zoe) leads you into a deeper worship life and …
• Brotherly love: philadelphia, a deep affection toward other believers.
• Finally, Peter finished his dance moves with love: agape. Actively doing what God prefers whether or not you want to; loving Him first and others as yourself.

Peter’s point is clear; if we’re not increasing in zoe, as God’s image-bearers, we’re considered visually impaired: nearsighted. We only look at the here-and-now and forget what Jesus has done for us: cleansed, called, elected, and promised us the eternal kingdom. 

Reminders are as essential for Peter (vs. 12) as they are for us since they stir up our passion to live for Christ. False prophets and teachers are on the horizon and Peter, recognizing his immanent death, continued to make his case and build up the believers. He joined Paul (Rom. 1:22-28) in his effort to encourage the Church to be discerning and not deceived by these people:

This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 NLT

May our chorus of faith draw people to know Jesus and desire the kind of life we experience: forgiveness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.