As people get older they begin to think about what kind of heritage they will leave for the generations that will follow. As death draws near there is time only to pass on those things which are of most importance. Things of lessor significance are set aside so that what is most important will not be left undone. The Apostle Peter wrote his second inspired letter very near the end of his life. In order to understand what he wrote we should keep this fact in mind. The message contained in this letter to the followers of Christ is what Peter considered the most important of all.
But why was it necessary for Peter to write this letter? One reason is that the followers of Jesus would be able to remember Peter’s teaching. In chapter 1, verse 14 he says that Christ had revealed to him that his death was near. He would no longer be able to teach the people in person. It is for this reason he says in verse 15, “…I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.”
Another reason for writing down this message was so that it would reach a wider audience. There is a limit to how much one man can do in person. But his ministry can continue and spread through the written word. In his first inspired letter Peter had written specifically to Jesus’ followers in the area which is now in the country of Turkey. But his second inspired letter is addressed to all who believe in Christ.
Peter tells us the primary reason for writing this letter in chapter 3, verse 1. He says, “This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind…” Perhaps a better translation would be, “to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.” (NIV) In other words Peter desires the reasoning of the readers of his letters to be pure and wholesome. How can our thoughts be wholesome? Peter bases the entire argument of his second inspired letter on how we view the person of Jesus Christ. Are we willing to accept Jesus for who He is, or will we deny His position and authority?
But before going forward we need to remind ourselves of who Peter is. He begins his letter with these words: “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ…” Peter’s birth name was Simon. This was a very common name. Several people with the name of Simon are mentioned in Scripture. In fact one of the other Apostles was also named Simon. But there can be no confusion about who wrote this letter because the author introduces himself as Simon Peter. Peter is the name which was given to him by Christ. It is this name which distinguishes him from every other Simon. He is writing as one whose life has been changed by Jesus. Peter also calls himself an Apostle of Jesus Christ. This title establishes Peter’s authority to write this letter. Jesus chose certain of his disciples as his Apostles for a very special task. He told them, “…You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) While reading this letter it is very important to remember that though the words are Peter’s, the message is in reality from Christ.
In his first inspired letter Peter had also written as an Apostle, but in this second letter he calls himself the slave of Christ as well. In chapter 2 Peter says that false teachers deny the Master, that is Jesus, who bought them. Peter is saying that his message is trustworthy not only because he is an Apostle, but because he is a slave of Christ. He is not writing on his own authority but that of his Master. On the other hand, a teacher who denies that Jesus is his Master is proclaiming a false message.
Peter writes, “to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (1:1-2)
We can learn several things from this greeting. One is that Peter is writing to the followers of Christ. If we are not willing to submit ourselves to Christ then the assurance and encouragement Peter gives to the readers of this letter are not for us.
Another thing we can learn is that all of the followers of Christ are equal before God. People classify one another according to such things as ethnic background, social class, economic status and amount of education. But Peter does not look at any of these things. Nor does he make any distinction between those who knew Jesus personally and those who only heard about Him through the preaching of others. Only one thing is of importance: Have we received faith through Jesus Christ? Or have we not? The Apostle Paul puts it this way, “For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28)
Peter says that faith is precious. It is precious in at least two ways. The first is that Jesus gave up His life for us so that through faith in Him we might have eternal life. What could be more precious than eternal life? Secondly, faith in Christ is the only means by which we can stand before God. We should be willing to give up everything else in order to retain our faith. It is worth noting that Peter says that we obtain this faith through the righteousness of Christ. There are many people who think that their own righteousness will make them acceptable to God. But this is not so. As the prophet Isaiah wrote “…all our righteousness is as a polluted garment…” (Isaiah 64:6) If we want to be pleasing to God we must depend on the righteousness of Christ.
Peter closes his greeting by praying that his readers enjoy grace and peace in abundance. But Peter says that grace and peace come in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. What Peter is saying is that the more we know Jesus, the more grace and peace we will enjoy. In light of this it is important for each one of us to ask ourselves, “Do I know who Jesus is?”