“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.”
(2 Peter 1:10-12)
Today’s verse passage is from Peter’s second, and last, general epistle. Seeing that his death was immanent (1:14), the spokesman for the apostles (cf Matthew 16:13-18) felt moved to give the church some final words of instruction and edification before His departure. In his mind, he must have seen what he was writing as more than a purely human work. In the last chapter of this great epistle he equates the importance of the Old Testament Scriptures with that of his own apostolic witness (3:1-2). The letter begins with a joyful greeting and then a powerful reminder that God has graciously given to us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (1:3). This is a restatement of Paul’s inspired declaration to the Colossians that believers in Christ “are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:10). Peter goes on to give us instruction, encouraging us to add virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, and brotherly kindness to our precious Christian faith (1:5-7). Peter assures us (another sign of the divine inspiration of this epistle) that if we follow his instructions, “an entrance shall be ministered unto [us] abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” This is the exact opposite of what will be true of carnal Christians, who will enter the kingdom “yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15). Peter’s words to us are precious, helpful, and profound. Today’s passage speaks of believers being “established in the present truth.” Bible commentators differ in their interpretation of this cryptic phrase. To me it is a reminder that the word of the Lord is unchanging and always relevant. Even the Mosaic Law, now set aside as law (Romans 10:4; 2 Corinthians 3; Hebrews 8:13), is still a present truth. It still discloses to us the righteous requirements of a Holy God. It discribes man’s sin problem and God’s Blessed Solution to it. The Law contains a magnificent prophetic portrait of the Blessed Redeemer, the Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), the great Deuteronomy 18 Prophet, Who bore the sin of many to secure our redemption (Isaiah 53). Peter reminds us that God’s words will always be for us a “present truth;” for they express the perfect heart of the unchanging God Who inhabits eternity (Isaiah 557:15). His precious words are “forever settled in the heavens” (Psalms 119:89); they are Spirit and Life (John 6:63). The word is a present truth even as our God is a present help (Psalm 46:1).
God bless you as you consult His present truth today!
pastor john
English