Text: 2 Peter 1:1-4 Title: The Excellency of Christ
V1.
Equal Faith (“as precious” or “like same” = literally “equally privileged”)
We have a common bond that can bring us together if we allow. We have received the same precious faith. There is something special that brings us together. We are not all individuals in this place with different agendas. No! We have the same belief, the same love, the same Lord, and the same Spirit. The same Spirit that proceeds from the Father into our lives and dwells among us as a church, the living Temple of the living God. We are all connected by the love of the Savior and the Spirit that is in this place now. Let us lay aside our own individual agendas, lay aside our negativities, lay aside our baggage and bad experiences that are now in the past. Lay all of these aside and focus your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. We have a like precious faith.
Righteousness of Jesus Christ
And we have this faith BY the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. This verse is rich with doctrine. It is not just a formal, standardized opening to a letter. We read the assertion that Jesus is God, that Jesus is Savior, that Jesus is the Christ, and that Jesus’ righteousness is what our faith is in. It is not our righteousness that we trust in, for we would surely perish, but it is the righteousness of a sinless Savior and His righteousness alone.
V2.
We all want grace and peace to be multiplied to us, but He doesn’t simply say that. He says, “in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.”
Grace and peace are multiplied to us and are nurtured in us the more knowledge we have of the One who gives it. Where can we find this knowledge? In culture, or government, or public schools? No, No, No. Knowledge must be put in its Christian context. We can only find it in the Word of God- the Bible. That is why we devote time to the sermon during our worship hour, that’s why we have Sunday School, and Wednesday night Bible Study. We do this because we want peace and grace multiplied in our souls, in our homes, and in this church. We need it…We want it…Don’t we???
This word "knowledge" is not the simple word that is most often used in the New Testament.
This word means a thorough knowledge. A thorough and sanctifying knowledge. Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
All things that pertain to life and godliness
Peter reminds Christians that we have been given everything that we need to become spiritually mature and fully equipped. Thus we have the responsibility, no excuses, to use every resource that we have been given. We have God’s Word, we have God’s Spirit, we have teachers, and we have each other. Don’t take advantage of the resources that God has blessed you with and this church.
V3.
Divine Power
The power of God is the effect of His Word. The Spirit can work in you when you are in God’s Word. That power has given us all things for life and godliness. Once again this power which gives us all these things comes through knowledge. The knowledge of Him (Christ).
He has called US.
V4.
Exceedingly Great and Precious
The knowledge of Jesus Christ applies to us Exceedingly great and precious promises. Through those promises we become part of the divine nature. We have escaped the corruption of the world. We participate in the Divine Nature when we think like Christ.
Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” It comes by the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and thus transforms us (Rom. 12)
We long for the Divine Nature
Corruption = regression, disintegration
Divine nature = progression, restoration
That common bond that we have resurfaces in these words. We have all become part of the divine nature. We are different. We are unique. We have a common goal- To be molded by God into the image of His Son.
Conclusion
Peter focuses on Godly knowledge at the beginning of this letter and at the end of this letter.
2 Peter 3:17-18 “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”