One Hope

2 Peter 1

​The Spirit wrote one Book—the Bible—and it must be understood as a whole. Believers may differ on individual matters of prophecy, but they all agree on the “one hope”—Jesus is coming again!

“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Ephesians 4:4–7 (ESV)

In 2 Peter 1, we understand that believers are encouraged to experience completeness through their growing knowledge of God Himself. At its most basic level, this is the knowledge of the salvation that people can receive in Jesus. But there are radical implications of that message, including a transformed life. Accepting the knowledge of God results in action; the knowledge does not stand apart from action.

“Simeon Peter, a servant 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: 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by 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.” 2 Peter 1:1–4 (ESV)

Dr. Tony Evans says, “The divine nature Peter references is implanted into believers in seed form and doesn’t immediately or unintentionally translate into mature, godly living. Rather, it gives every Christian the potential to escape the corruption that is in the world, much like a seed gives the person who possesses it the potential to grow a plant. When the seed is tended and grows, the life of the Spirit expands in a believer’s soul, and the expansion is manifested in the body through righteous living.”

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” 2 Peter 1:5–7 (ESV)
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Dr. Evans continues, “These qualities act like vitamin supplements, enabling believers to adopt God’s kingdom perspective and live in accordance with it. God instructs believers to add these qualities to their saving faith in order to actualize the potential for maturity and godly living.”
“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8–11 (ESV)

Warren Wiersbe writes, “When you trusted Christ, He gave you all that you needed for life and godliness. All you have to do is to appropriate what you need from His resources. His Word feeds the divine nature within, and you can grow in knowledge and in grace. This is not automatic; you must be diligent to use the means of grace that God has provided.”

“Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” 2 Peter 1:12–18 (ESV)

In this passage, Pastor Wiersbe’s outline details 3 major point— Power for the present, Assurance from the past, and Hope for the future. He explains that Peter would be martyred soon, so he took the occasion to remind his readers that they could trust the Word of God. Although Peter’s experience on the Mount of Transfiguration was wonderful in Mathew 17, his experiences are not a substitute for the unchanging Word of God.

“And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:19–21 (ESV)

God’s Word functions like a lamp shining in a dark place, sustaining believers in their spiritual walks. Indeed, the entire Bible causes Christ to come alive in our hearts. “Private interpretation” means that no prophecy should be isolated from the rest of Scripture or interpreted apart from the leading of the Spirit who gave it to us.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’” Revelation 22:16 (ESV)

Are you experiencing God’s power today? Do you possess assurance from the past and in your present salvation? Are you living with hope for the future?
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Remember today if you desire to be effective in your life and servanthood and be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, “make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”

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