We often joke about our forgetfulness as we grow older. We sometimes, but not too often, have nothing to joke about.
It did not take long after I became a Christian to realize, that in the process of studying the Scriptures that sometimes forgetfulness is a convenience and ends up as sin that I should have left behind when I first read Scriptures on the subject.
Peter was a straight-forward individual. You read concerning doctrine and some of his activity and conclude he should not have been so obnoxious! However, we read of the problems that plagued the early church, and some of them have never left, may-be, just maybe, it was what they needed by way of a very strong hand.
In his Second Epistle, the opening verses we read: “To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of our God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
A visiting speaker had presented a forceful message at our church, which I appreciated deeply. One of our ladies suggested: “We need more of that type of preaching across our pulpit.” I could easily have been offended, but I agreed that was the case. I thought to myself, “Peter must come and preach sometime soon so that we might both find satisfaction.”
In examining his opening statement we notice his powerful statements… a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ. He is a slave of love to the Savior first. Next he is an Apostle of Jesus Christ. With that identification he shows that they are in an identical position as him… “The same as ours”. You are no different from me, says the apostle. We are joined with Him in our righteousness! It is imparted to us thru God and Jesus our Lord!
Again, he is going to impart strong words: In effect, “seeing His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness”. Quit making excuses; you have the same “divine power” as Peter. In addition “it came through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
Let us sum it up from such words as those of Peter to the brothers who must have felt a little sorry for themselves and were making excuses for not following the Lord whole heartedly. We are in this together! God invited us! God and Christ imputed us with righteousness—HIS! Quit feeling sorry for yourself and get with it, what He has done on yours and my behalf He will continue to do. It is a foundational truth with no excuses!
ETCetera 