(remember, these are unedited/draft show notes, not a transcript — listening is always better…and if you listen AND follow along below, you’ll see how)
Focus Question:
What are your sources of power for spiritual development?”
Intro:
Can I share a praise with you?
This podcast all volunteer at the moment, of course, which is why the quality varies a bit as my work and school schedules exert more or less pressure on me. It also takes actual cash. And thank you to an anonymous and very kind donor, a portion of the cost this month is covered.
You’ve heard me say it before, but 3 John 8 says that those who write checks are co-workers in the truth. So, whoever you are, thank you on behalf of everyone who listens. We are blessed and honored that you’re a co-worker in the truth in this way.
Today we move into 2 Peter, “shortly before AD 65, the date when, according to reliable early tradition, Nero martyred him while persecuting Christians in Rome. Peter possibly wrote from Rome, and he sensed that the time to fulfill the Lord’s prophecy about his death was near (cf. 1:13–14; John 21:18–19).”[1] Here he condemns false teachers, but unlike some times when biblical writers name names, here Peter just talks about truth versus falsehood, at least part of which relates to today’s focus question, “What are your sources of power for spiritual development?”
New Testament segment:
Passage: 2 Peter 1
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 21
Words: ~478
As you just heard, Peter is writing to those who he assumes to be Jesus-followers. And you can hear his almost parental heart – he wants good things for you. Along the way, he describes four sources of power for spiritual development which he also assumes will help them overcome the moral corruption of the world.
Nurture those eight qualities of Christian character – “supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”[2]
Reflect on the reminders brought you by someone who is called to send you reminders. If you’re listening to this, of course, you know that’s a burden I feel every single day. That’s what Peter said he was going to do, and obviously anyone one of us has only so many days or years to serve you in this way.
Reflect on the majestic glory of Christ. Peter quotes real history – we don’t follow made up myths, but something he was an eyewitness to.
Reflect on the prophetic message of Scripture. You’ve heard me use these words, and today we heard Peter describe the posture – we do not conceive or determine truth or prophecy, we receive it.[3]
And with that bit of joy in mind, let’s turn back to Jeremiah. Yesterday we heard him give instructions for living while exiles and slaves in Babylon, a great reminder for us that we’re like exiles in a strange land, too.
Today and tomorrow, however, the tone turns upward, speaking of restoration for Judah and Israel. And today specifically, we hear of God’s promise to restore the nation and make a new covenant with Israel. And if that perks up your ears, the answer is yes, this is prophetically looking forward to the new covenant which you and I live under now.
Old Testament segment:
Passage: Jeremiah 30-31:30
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 54
Words: ~1601
The bottom line:
We have the benefit of hindsight. Christianity is first a knowledge-based tradition built upon truth – some of which was foretold by God himself and you and I can look back on and go, “Yup! He did what He promised to do.”
Like any relationship, of course, we can take advantage of that, coast along with it, or even begin to let other views sneak in that challenge the historical fact of Jesus’ sinless life, atoning death, and bodily resurrection. So we can trust that He sits at the right hand of God, interceding for us now and, one day, returning to judge the living and the dead.
For us, the opportunity is to have that relationship with Him grow in intimacy and impact, and the way we do that, at least according to Peter, isn’t by sitting around and singing kum-bah-yah…it’s an active thing you do to nurture – in community – the truth claims based in the majestic glory of Jesus and the Scriptures that He now speaks through.
Roger
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
[1] Douglas J. Moo, “The Letters and Revelation,” in NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018), 2248.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), 2 Pe 1:5–7.
[3] David S. Dockery, ed., Holman Bible Handbook (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1992), 769.