He was weary. House arrest does that to you. But so does the nagging suspicion that the end is near. And that also gave him a strange sense of hope and peace. He so looked forward to seeing His Savior once again, of hearing that kind voice say, “Come, and enter into your rest.”
But for now, in spite of the weariness, there was a passion in his pen. He felt like this might be the last time he could put down in words what was burning in his heart. He knew the struggles His fellow believers were facing—and he felt the worst was yet to come. In some ways, this could be a record of his last words—what he wanted to make sure he said before his glorious transition to paradise.
Emperor Nero was on the warpath. Jews felt like they were on the outside, and Christians were looked at skeptically. Jewish Christians were despised by both the Romans and the Jews. Nero was lighting them on fire—alive—to light up his gardens.
Danger outside the door is one thing. But now there was danger within the camp as well. False teachers—sheep in wolf’s clothing—were becoming a sinister threat to the church.
It is in this first century setting that Simon Peter sets his pen to writing to persecuted believers the letter we now call 2 Peter. It’s a letter with astounding application to the 21st century as well.
He begins with a powerful statement.
“His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
2 Peter 1:3 (NASB)
As Christians in the first century and in the 21st century, we know that God has given us everything we will ever need for “life and godliness,” that is, for eternal living later and for godly living now.
It’s worth noting that the word “everything” is translated from the Greek word pas, which actually means, well, “everything.”
Through the power of the Holy Spirit living within us, we are fully equipped to live out a radiant, godly life, even in the face of blunt persecution.
And this happens through “the true knowledge” of Christ. This is not an intellectual awareness or a theoretical understanding, but a true heart knowledge borne of intimacy with the Savior.
“You see, with our initial salvation, God has equipped us—by the indwelling Spirit—with an introductory packet that includes everything we need. We have access to resources which, when utilized, will result in usefulness and fruitfulness both horizontally—in our relationships with others—and vertically—in our relationship with God.”
Charles Swindoll
No matter what you and I face this week, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, no matter what the world system, the flesh, and the devil throw our way, we can know that the Holy Spirit has empowered us to handle it all in His power. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. And He has already given us everything we need to not only survive but thrive.