Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“ For we did not make known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ by following ingeniously concocted myths, but by being eyewitnesses of that one’s majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when a voice such as this was brought to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we ourselves heard this voice brought from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain,” (2 Peter 1:16-18)

This is Peter’s second letter. It was also probably written in Rome and had to have been written before his crucifixion by Emperor Nero between 64 and 66 AD. This letter is a response to the false teaching that was spreading around. Peter reaffirms proper teaching, gives a warning to false teachers and those who fall prey to them, and makes it clear that Jesus is both living and coming again. Peter is firm in our need to be always ready for Jesus’ return.

Chapter one starts with his greetings to his readers (it was not written to a specific church body). He goes into the characteristics that believers should have. Characteristics in line with God’s moral character and that should be grown in the believer from the moment they trust in Him. Since there were a lot of false teachers, Peter makes it clear that his authority doesn’t come from words or concepts, but from the fact he was an eyewitness of Jesus’ majesty. False teachers could not make that claim.

Chapter two is Peter’s treatise against false teachers and his warnings to them and their audience of the need to be godly in all things. Just because you’re not currently being called to judgment doesn’t mean judgment isn’t coming. God is JUST. Outside of Jesus, there is no salvation. God is no respecter of persons. He didn’t spare fallen angels. He didn’t spare the ungodly that thoroughly and knowingly rejected Him. He won’t spare false teachers either. This accords with Jesus’ own warnings that teachers have a special responsibility to make sure they are teaching correctly.

In chapter three, Peter assures his audience that Jesus will be returning. They had not missed it. It was true that it WOULD happen. And we need to be ready for it – because we are not told when it will happen. A lot of time can pass from our point of view, but almost none from God’s. We are not called to lives of last-minute conviction, but to lives of godly standards. Being ready and always seeking to renew ourselves to God’s way of thinking and behaving. Life can be hard, but a new heaven and new earth are coming. Peter exhorts us to hold fast to the truth and always be ready. He closes with a blessing.

“But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we do not have sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, so that he will forgive us our sins and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:7-9)

The first of John’s three letters was written in Ephesus around 85 to 95 AD. It wasn’t written to a single congregation, but to many. False teachers were spreading. People were moving away from the scriptures and adopting odd views on Jesus, things that could not be true (like turning rocks to birds as a child – Jesus had no miraculous powers outside Holy Spirit and so none until He was baptized). Members of some congregations were grabbing a hold of specific doctrine and splitting off from the other churches. This letter is a response to all of that. John focuses on the love of God, living as God’s children, and confirming right beliefs.

Chapter one starts with his greetings and goes right into the idea that none of us were blameless and we continue to choose to sin – even though we don’t have to if we’ll rest in and focus on Jesus and what He’s done for us. Forgiveness and mercy were established because we NEED them and to pretend otherwise is foolish. We WERE sinners. We ARE saved by Grace. And we DO miss it and fail. No one is perfect, but that’s WHY we need Jesus.

Chapter two admonishes us to learn and obey God’s Word. It edifies us, builds us up, and corrects us. John warns about false teachers and what they are robbing us of. He calls for us to abide in Jesus. To rest in Him. To look to Him in all things and follow His guidance. Jesus is our example of godly living and we won’t go wrong in allowing Him to direct our steps.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Peter, John

Key Verse(s): 2 Peter 1:5-15; 2:4-10; 3:11-18; 1 John 1:5-10; 2:7-17