“The Just Shall Live By Faith”
New King James Version Written by: David Hicks
Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."
“Articles of Faith”
(A Study in II Peter)
Lesson 3- The Trustworthy Word:
The theme to the second letter of Peter is knowledge. Since the Christian graces that we spent time with in our last lesson were founded on our faith (the outward production of those who have escaped corruption and share in the divine nature); and our faith is predicated on our educated conscience through the word of God, it is only fitting that we spend time with the trustworthy nature of that word.
With all that exists in the world today that claims Christianity, what do we trust concerning the will of God in Christ?
Peter knew that he and the rest of the Apostles of Jesus Christ would not be around much longer. Note our first text:
Text #1:
2 Peter 1:12-15
“For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.”
Remind You: Virtually all the New Testament writings are predicated on this practice of setting things back in order by way of reminder. The human mind is easily distracted and often forgetful of the taught priorities.
Peter claims that if he were to fail to remind them of these things, he would be negligent. In this same way teachers of the Gospel to this very day should continue to warn and exhort Christians to their duty as described within word of God!
Tent: The King James uses the word, “tabernacle” here. Both the word tent and tabernacle come from the Greek word, ‘ skenos ', which is accurately translated as either tent or tabernacle (temporary home, or dwelling). It is used here by Peter, and in II Corinthians 5:1-6 , by Paul; in a figurative sense, to describe the temporary dwelling place of the soul.
Always have a reminder: This is the key to the essence of the trustworthy nature of the word and serves as an appropriate introduction to the next text.
By putting their teaching into these written texts, the Apostles assured that the original designs of God in Christ for salvation and the church would be preserved. In addition, they would act as constant reminders and continually set things back into order, when given the proper authoritative trust and respect.
Text #2:
2 Peter 1:16-21
“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
We: At the time of the writing of this letter, there were many false teachers who cleverly used myths and fables that take in speculation instead of testimony. So tricky and clever were these false teachers that many of the un-informed were deceived.
The Apostles found it necessary to give warnings concerning those who practiced this (especially from the Jews who practiced this false teaching – see: I Timothy 1:4 ; 4:7 ; II Timothy 4:4 ; Titus 1:14 ).
However, Peter and the other Apostles did not find it necessary to practice this elaborate form of trickery. What a man ‘ sees ' is a form of positive knowledge and does not require ingenious wording to make the report acceptable. If just one eye witness makes a declaration it is as true as if a hundred. However, the fact that Peter uses the plural to include all the Apostles and inspired prophets, the testimony is strengthened by corroboration.
Eyewitness of His Majesty: Further evidence is produced by Peter that the things which they report are not of their creation, but the testimony of eyewitness evidence. An illustration of this is given in the form of the transfiguration of Christ in the presence of Peter, James and John (read: Matthew 17:1-13 ).
The honor and glory mentioned, that is bestowed upon Christ, is the acknowledgement by God Himself that this was His beloved Son, in Whom He is well pleased!
The term holy mountain used here is verse 18 , is not used in that the mountain itself has any special properties, but that on the mountain an act of veneration or great respect took place.
Testimonial evidence permeates the pages of the New Testament in such a way as the reader does not have to rely on a word, but the description in words of what the witnesses actually experienced (The Word), note:
John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Acts 1:3 “to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God .”
1 Corinthians 15:4-8 “and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.”
1 John 1:1-4 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”
We also have the Prophetic Word: Here Peter established that in the same fashion as the power of God revealed to the Apostles the glory of Christ, the power of God revealed the inspired word. A prophet was simply a mouth piece for God. The word prophetic here simply denotes, making known that which was previously unknown (past – present – future).
Moses wrote by inspiration to reveal to the Israelites coming out of bondage, where and from whom they had come from (when he wrote Genesis – prophecy looking back).
Isaiah prophesied to the people of Israel and Judah during the reign of several kings of both nations. His words had an immediate message for the apostate states, but additionally revealed for them the coming of the Great Servant of God, who would liberate both them and the Gentiles (prophecy for now – and looking forward).
In this we see that God has always used human agency to reveal His will for man (See: I Corinthians 1:21 ; 2:10-16 – as Paul describes both the agency and gives probably the best description of inspiration provided in the New Testament).
Made More Sure: This is given to denote that this method of delivery is stable, firm, sure, and trustworthy. No comparison is being made to the fables mentioned earlier, but that this information being given is corroboration to the information that they have already believed and have a foundation in.
Do Well to Heed: This is the reminder that Peter promises to leave with them always. If they heed this prophetic word, it will continue to cause light to shine in the darkness of their hearts (this is the very makeup of the partakers of the divine nature – escaping darkness and turning to light). This enlightened transformation will continue until the morning star rise in their hearts (a reference to Christ – also used by John in Revelation 22:16 ). This is the complete nature that the word transforms us into (See: II Timothy 3:16 -17 – makes us complete).
However, this will only happen if we do well to heed !
Knowing this First: The instruction given previously that these brethren would do well to heed the prophetic word, destroys the concept that we cannot understand it. In addition, the fact that it did not come from the will of man, destroys the idea that we each can interpret it to our liking or differently.
Since inspired men where moved by the Holy Spirit to produce Scripture, it is of a heavenly origin only! Its instruction is one way and our only reaction to what we learn in order for the blessings enclosed to pertain to us (all things that pertain to life and godliness), is to simply obey it !
In addition, since we can understand it, since we do not have individual influence on its design, it is the only true source of authority for all things that pertain to Christ and His kingdom!
So, as we re-approach our original question, “ With all that exists in the world today that claims Christianity, what do we trust concerning the will of God in Christ?”
Peter tells us that the answer is the prophetic word of God!
Only the un-learned, near-sighted, blind, and forgetful have trouble understanding what God has given man through Christ. However, if you truly have become partakers of the divine nature, the word of God has become your complete foundation in Christ.
2 Peter 1:10-11 “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Next: “ Destructive Doctrines and Teachers ”