Confirmation by Conformation

Background

Writer

Simeon Peter—note oddity of Simeon

Not going to argue authorship—early church concluded it was him

Recipients—note the equal faith

A term related to citizenship; all rights and privileges

Reason—not clear in this text; will unfold in future messages

The vast number and particulars of the false teaching coming on

He was one of the NT writers to hammer on this; Jude and 1 John also

The statement in vv. 1-2 is confirming divine nature of Jesus

…our God and Savior Jesus Christ

Theos, soter; appropriating the OT title of Savior and applying it to Jesus

Saw that in the Magnificat Luke 1:46

…my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

Note use of “knowledge” in v. 2; not normally a part of greetings

Maybe to combat some early gnostic teaching that was creeping in, those having “special knowledge” not just the true knowledge (epignosis) of the true God

What is Granted

All done by His divine power

All that pertains to life and godliness

Through knowledge of Him who called us

Nerd stuff: different word epignosis—a deeper, thorough, knowledge

Taking in the matter of God’s call

Salvation is not by our merit but by His grace

With salvation, we may partake in the divine nature

Has both temporal and eternal components

…with ability to withstand evil

May make us think of

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

And we know that Jesus hears us and understands us...

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Relates to having been saved from penalty, being saved from the power, future salvation from the presence of sin

Focus on

…having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire

So far talking about faith...now, on to practice

What is Encouraged

Note the progressive nature of the statement

Supplement....

An imperative, “just do it” term

We could stretch the concept of James 4:17 into this; principle is applicable

James 4:17 ESV

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

So we take this sequence:

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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

Interesting nerdy thing: knowledge here is just gnosis, not epinosis

However, placed into the sequence it will result in epinosis

Comment on Godliness—eusebeia, Eusebius, 3rd century historian, named from that word

There is no end to making every effort…v.8 looks to a continual increasing of these behaviors

There is a result

You will not be ineffective

...unfruitful in knowledge of our Lord

Knowledge is purposeful

Not for the sake of knowing; but to do something with our knowledge

So, there seems to be a purpose…we are to be effective

What is Admonished

Behaviors to avoid:

Being nearsighted

Being blind

Forgetting the cleansing

If we are these things, we are being less than diligent

What’s the Point?

By conforming to this pattern; we confirm our calling and election

This pattern of of living strengthens our faith

makes us useful and strong

Nothing here is teaching salvation by works

Peter is setting up, establishing the foundation, for some deeper teaching

From here we drill down on the details of the false teachings/teachers

He is define the process of sanctification

Understand that God does the sanctifying as we are obedient to His Word

Where are you in this process of Christian growth?

Do you have faith without virtue?

Virtue without knowledge?

The sequence is not a pile of links, it is a chain

Breaking the kills the effectiveness of a Christian’s life

Working through that chain is much like Paul’s thought of being

…conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ...

That from Romans 8:29

Do you have faith—not an object-free faith; an objective faith…in Christ?

…substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen....

Any success in the others is valueless without this; works-based salvation

Does your life show virtue?

Are you gaining knowledge? How? Aggressively or passively?

Any day you don’t learn something...

Is is Godly knowledge or worldly knowledge?

How’s your self-control?

Many illustrations of this:

Selfishness? Fear? Anxiety?

Addictions—now classified as disease?

Destructive behaviors—like anger; “He’s not a bad boy, he just has an anger control issue.”

Steadfastness—Allistair’s “Keep on keeping on” advice; often it’s easier to quit

Is there a process by which you are becoming more godly?

Displaying brotherly affection—presumes some sort of relationship

Displaying love—is overarching

We look at others for these displays…others look at us—OUCH!

Process should not be stagnant

We become...

Fruitful—showing that our knowledge is of benefit

Clear-seeing, having some vision

Conscious of our salvation—and a clear witness of it

We gain...

A rich welcome to the eternal kingdom