Second Peter

Verses five through fifteen: In these verses the apostle encourages the church to continually grow in godliness and holiness. Just as in physical growth, the consumption of “food” is necessary for spiritual growth. In verse 8 he reminds the people that the only food fit for such growth is the “knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Knowledge of God’s Word–Jesus (Jn. 1:1-4) is the first step. Belief (faith) in that Word is step 2. Step 3 entails obedience to that Word. Without step 3, steps 1 and 2 are meaningless. As James tells us in chapter 2, knowledge and faith (steps 1,2) without works (obedience-step 3) are dead. As I have continually proven on this website and on my YouTube site, the Institutional Church’s faith is dead, rendering her a dead institution. It is to that institution (Catholicism/Protestantism) that this ministry is directed. I, along with a few others, repeatedly call out to professing Christendom to turn from her pagan, God-rejecting ways, humble herself, plead for the His forgiveness and turn to Him in full obedience mode. So far only a minutely few people have heeded God’s call, just as He predicted in Matthew 7:13,14.

In verse 9 Peter explains that the church person who lacks “these things” (vss 5-8) is “blind” and has forgotten that he has been “purged from his old sins.” To “purge” means to force out and do away with something. A good example of purging is seen when one vomits out that which has caused him to be sick.

In verse 10 Peter, still writing about the “knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,” tells the church “brethren” that they must “give diligence to make your calling and election sure” by doing “these things” (vss 5-8). In Philippeans 2:12 the Apostle Paul says the same thing using different words: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” We do this by using the Word of God (knowledge of Jesus Christ) as our standard of conduct. In verses 10 and 11 Peter assures the church that “IF ye do these things you will not fall” from the path leading to “the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

In verses 12 through 15 Peter, the Lord having shown him that he is soon to be martyred, diligently reminds the church of “these things” in order for them to be “established in the present truth” which he charges them to remember in the future.

These few verses give us a clear picture relative to how our present temporary walk determines where we will spend eternity. Verses 5 through 8 leave absolutely no doubt that church business as usual is not the walk commanded by the Lord. As billions of church people have proven, one can walk the church walk and never be converted. Simon of Samaria believed what Philip the evangelist taught, was baptized, joined the local congregation and diligently listened to what Philip taught. In today’s world he would be declared saved, born again and rapture-ready. However, Peter put him on the road after exposing him for what he was–a counterfeit Christian. Peter and all the other apostles repeatedly warned the church to be diligent in their self-examinations, making sure that their walk matched the walk of Jesus (1 Jn. 2:6). Only in this way could they make their “calling and election sure” by “doing these things” continuously. In this way they followed Paul’s admonition to “work our your own salvation with fear and trembling.” L.J.