We have seen that apostle Peter wrote the first epistle to those Jews who were scattered by means of violence, persecution, and tribulation, because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us see who he writes the second epistle. "2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:" Peter says that he is a servant, of course he is a servant to Jesus Christ, but here he implies that he is a servant also to those whom he writes. Mostly, we study as such letters are written to us; and apply them to us. But letters are not written to whomsoever pick up a letter and read, but it is to whom it is written. We must study them, but we must not fit ourselves in their shoes, unless we live as they live. Peter writes to them that he is an apostle. An apostle is more than a dedicated servant or disciples to Jesus Christ. An apostle is a chosen disciples for the purpose of God. Let us see two verses: 1, as in verse 21; "but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." That is, an apostle is the one, who speak the word of God by revelation. "And 2, Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are ... and the names are given." So, an apostle must exhibit powers of God in casting out unclean spirits and heal all manner of sickness, for us to evidently see. If they cannot do them, they are not apostles. Today many people are known as apostles, but they do not show any of these signs of the apostles; and so, they are all fakes. Again, apostle Peter points out, who are the recipients of this letter. If we fit, we are recipients; if not, we are not recipients; yet since it is the word of God, we can study them with reverence. The letter is "to them that have obtained like precious faith with us (the apostles) through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:" God and Jesus Christ are righteous, and they will judge in righteousness. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), and he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6). If we believe in this truth and in this faith, which is the precious faith, then we may count us also as the recipient of this letter. That is, we have the faith that they have. Preachers usually say that since Jesus lived a righteous life, we are righteous; it is a deceptive false teaching. "2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord," Grace is the power of God, given to us when we are weak, it is in 2 Corinthians 12:9, and it is to help us in the times of need, it is in Hebrews 4:16. But the grace gospel preachers, Calvinists, and some others also preach deceptive grace to deceive Christians. Their grace will just forgive you and take you to heaven, which is not true. Then he imparts peace, which is the peace of Jesus Christ; it is in John 14:27. Jesus tells his disciples, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, ..." Even though such blessings are imparted to us like a magic, by the mention of a preacher; it comes to us only if we meet the condition. Here it is "through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord," That is, as we grow in the knowledge of God the Son and God the Father, this grace and peace will also grow simultaneously with our knowledge, and so, it is a process, but will not be instant. "3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" Here the power of God is given to us, but not in an instant, but by a process. God gives us power to live our life in godliness, through the knowledge of him, that is by the knowledge of Jesus Christ. But one more phrase is here. It is "that hath called us to glory and virtue." So, if Jesus Christ did not call us so far, it will not apply to us; but we can study it as his principle, but not as our experience. We know what glory is, it is high fame or honor we won by our notable achievements; in this case by our godly life, which is our virtue and virtue is our behavior showing high moral standards. "4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." A few things are here in this verse; 1, we have exceeding great precious promises from God; it will not be instant, but it will be through our change of life. 2, previously or even now we may be living our life in lust; which are the lust of eyes, lust of flesh, and pride of life; which will cause corruption, which is eternal damnation; 3, we have a promise that we may escape from the lust and will be partake the divine nature of God, that is holiness and righteousness; that is, we will live in godliness. This is the great precious promise that we can, and we will live like Jesus Christ lived and we will escape the eternal damnation.

The next three verses are about the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. It must not be a chant, but it should happen in real life. In Christianity, we study everything about the man Jesus of Nazareth, and we call it as the study of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is deception, even though it may not be purposeful. Jesus is born of a virgin, his father was not Joseph, and they study as God was the Father, but he was not; Jesus did miracles, healed the sick, cast out unclean spirits; religious people hated him, killed him on the cross, and God raised him from the dead, and now he is in heaven. If we have studied these things in detail, we considered to have the full knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. To reinforce them, we have kept on listening to these same things as preachings or sermons always. But the study of Lord Jesus Christ, must be like an apprentice program, it must include practice also; like a swimming lesson, as we cannot become a swimmer only by the study of books; we must we jump in the water, otherwise our study will be in vain. In order to know who, the Lord is, we must serve him. In order to know, who Jesus is, we must know Luke 4:18-20, Matthew 4:23, and Matthew 1:21. Luke 4:18-20 says that he is the only one author of the gospel, was anointed to preach the gospel, all other gospels other than what he has preached are the false gospels and deception. Matthew 4:23 says that he himself has preached his gospel for us to know what the gospel is, and all other stories are not the true gospel. And Matthew 1:21 says that he will save his people from their sins, so that, they do not have to be punished in hell. And there is no magic salvation from hell when a person is still committing sins. If we do not learn by life experience, we will not know who Jesus is, and that Christ is the Son of God in the Spirit. He was anointed as God because he loved righteousness and hated iniquity. It is in Hebrew 1:8&9. He is in the world for the last 2000 and more years, turning people away from their sins and iniquity. It is in Acts 3:26. Have you experienced this Christ?

We must know that there are two kinds of Spiritual things; one is of the Holy Spirit, and the other is by the gifts of the Holy Ghost. The gifts are given to people to do ministry; it is like healing, prophesy, miracles, etc. They happen just as an event and will manifest in that instant. But the Holy Spirit that is given to people as a gift, is not to be an event, but to stay and live with the person as permanent. Most people confuse between them because of wrong terminology. Remember that the Holy Spirit experience is gradual, and it is be done one step at a time. "5 And beside this, giving all diligence (persistent careful work), add to your faith (it is not what we think God will do, but it is what is told that he will do) virtue (it is our behavior showing high moral standards, with diligence, it is with persistence, consistency, perseverance and dedication.); and to virtue knowledge (Socrates hold on to say that virtue is knowledge, that is, you will do what you know dearly.); 6 And to knowledge temperance (temperance is the will power over our instincts and keeps our desires within the limits of what is honorable.); and to temperance patience (Temperance is the trait of avoiding excesses and living in moderation. A patient person, on the other hand, bears pains and trials without complaint.); and to patience godliness (our life conforming to the laws and wishes of God.); 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness (brotherly kindness in not to visit a criminal in the jail to release him from prison, that is preachers think, but like Jesus says, I was naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. It is in Matthew 25:32-46); and to brotherly kindness charity (Charity is our love to save Souls from hell, and for the souls to inherit the kingdom of God. So, charity shall cover the multitude of sins.). 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." If we also grow in life, as we study and increase in knowledge, we will not be barren, which is a tree without fruits, which Jesus cursed. Not only we will grow, but we will also give more fruits, and we will grow more in our Lord in the Spirit. "9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." That is, we have begun, experienced forgiveness of sins, yet we did not persevere to go all the way, but if we quit in the middle, then we are blind, and all is wasted. That is sad.

"10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" Remember, he began in verse 5 saying 'with all diligence', but you make sure that you are called for this, then be alert and strong, and then you will not fall. Lot of people say that they have a calling; but they do not know what it is, because they do not have a calling. If you have a calling, make sure what your calling is. Do you belong to Christ, and did he call you to be his own? Then look at "2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." If God called you, to conform you to be like his Son Jesus Christ, you are beloved to God, and you are in his hands. "1 Thessalonians 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance;..." If you are in the election of God, you will be partakers of the gospel of Jesus Christ with the disciples in the power and assurance of the Holy Ghost. Then the verse says, that at this stage you will never fall. It is the promise of God, as in "Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." God will also keep you from the hour of temptation. "11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." And if we do these, you will surely be given entrance and inheritance in the kingdom of God in heaven. "2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." You will be in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ. "12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth." Apostle Peter says, these Jews who were the recipient of this letter, were persecuted and suffered for the cause of God and Jesus Christ, have known all these things, and were living this life. And yet, he was writing all these things to them, just to alert them and to keep on reminding these things to them. Probably, God in his providence, inspired apostle Peter to write these things for our sake also, and so, we are studying this letter now, for our Spiritual growth. So, be blessed. We will study the rest of the chapter in the next session.

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