Most of us are interested in knowing how to be a better person. Sometimes our reasons are good, and at other times they are misguided. In this message, Alistair Begg leads us through the foundational Gospel principles that open Peter’s second letter. It is through God’s grace alone that we can be reconciled to Him and receive His promised help to live godly lives.
1Simeon1 Peter, a servant2 and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to3 his own glory and excellence,4 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
The Apostle Peter sent his second letter into an environment where false teaching was on the rise and moral carelessness was beginning to take root among the people of God. To oppose these challenges, he reminded his readers of the Gospel truths they already knew – truths that provide the necessary basis for growing to Christian maturity. These same truths are vitally important to 21st century Christians: we, too, must study to deepen our knowledge of God's Word, relying on its authority and sufficiency to guide our beliefs and behavior. We, too, must guard against false teaching and error, and we too must look forward to Christ's sure return.
We invite you to join Alistair Begg in remembering anew that by God’s divine power, He has given believers everything we need for the commencement, the continuance, and the completion of the Christian life. Such truth is, as Peter described it, truly a “great and precious promise.”