Peter's Final Exhortation
On Sunday evening (6th August), Rev. James MacIver preached the 21st and final sermon in his series on The Life of Simon Peter. This study, entitled 'Peter's Final Exhortation' looked in particular at 2 Peter 3, where the author is reminding the recipients to be steadfast in the face of scoffers who will cast doubt upon the promises of God.
Peter counters the scoffers by telling that salvation is based upon facts, and upon events which actually took place, events to which he himself was an eyewitness (2 Peter 1:16-18). Crucially, he reminds his audience in chapter 1 so that they will cling to the foundational truths and not be led into apostasy.
In order to guard against leading astray by false doctrine , Peter says that Christians must grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. He speaks to them of their advantage in already knowing the truth; the same advantage that churchgoers today enjoy. The danger is that our very familiarity with the Gospel might cause us to take it for granted. This is why, in 3:17, Peter exhorts Christians in the following ways:
- 'Take care'. This is an active precaution. Christians are not to fold their hands, or take a fatalistic approach to their own situations. They are not to be passive, but must apply themselves diligently to growing in grace through prayer, reading, and meditating upon Scripture.
- 'Carried away'. It is all too easy to be led astray by false teaching and, to lose yourself in it to such an extent that you never find your way back. Mr MacIver used the illustration of an eagle he had seen on a nature programme. This bird was perched upon a block of ice which was being carried by the current towards a waterfall. So engrossed was the eagle in the carcass of a lamb it had killed, that it was oblivious to the danger. At almost the last moment, it did look up and attempted to fly clear. But it's feet were frozen to the ice block, and it was swept away. We can be so absorbed by false doctrine that we fail to see that it's taking us rapidly towards destruction.
- 'Lose your own stability'. This does not refer to losing one's salvation, which is impossible, but to lose one's solid grounding in the faith. As James 1:6 puts it: ' for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind'. While personal stability is crucial, each Christian is also meant to contribute towards corporate stability in the wider church.
Peter exhorted the recipients of his letter to take care by growing in grace, and knowledge of Christ. Romans 5 speaks of the Christian's entry into grace through faith; Peter urges his readers to grow in that state of grace, having once obtained entry.
Mr MacIver compared the Christian who has come to grace through faith to a seed newly planted. It is not enough to sow it and leave it - it must be nourished and provided with all the elements it needs for its nurture. Likewise, if Christians are to make their calling and election sure, they must take advantage of all the means of grace at their disposal. This means prayer and communion with Christ; gathering with God's people; knowing that the Spirit is making a home in their heart; and recognising the great privilege of calling God, 'Father'.
Who better to exhort Christians in this manner than Peter - Peter whom we see in Scripture, chosen by Christ as a disciple? We see this same Peter named as the rock upon which the church will be raised; then failing to live up to this; we see his impetuosity; his ill-advised behaviour; we see his love for the Lord.
Is there anyone better than this very real, very experienced Christian to advise other followers of Christ what is important?
