LETTERS FOR THE DISPERSED
The two letters of Peter have become very central in my walk with God in these weeks.
Peter knew like no other how easy it is to be diverted. It makes him the right person to write these two short letters which are the simple vehicles carrying a weighty message for the church in these years leading us into a new decade. I will definitely pay attention to its words and focus.
First of all it's about DETERMINATION.
Peter wrote: "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." An other translation says: Be prepared for action.
The source of this determination is to be found in the revelation of Jesus Christ. Human determination, strong will and personality will not make it.
Then comes the time for DEFINITION.
In Jerusalem Peter presented a fresh and updated revelation of Jesus Christ: ""Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." It generated a strong and immediate response: 'What shall we do?' Determination was intense. They were prepared for action. What did Peter then? He invited them into a defining process. After opening up for the first steps (Repent, be baptised) definition began: "With many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." Lines were drawn.
And it continued: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine."
After definition comes DILIGENCE.
This is what Peer wrote in his 2nd letter: "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." Consider its ultimate goal: "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Diligence must be followed by DEVOTION.
Why? Simply because walking with God, growing in God and partnering with God is a heart-issue... so to say. Therefore after Peter had spoken and people aligned with his word, they devoted themselves to the apostolic fathers' teaching, to their destiny-companions, to the breaking of bread and prayers.
What then?
Personally I mean that it's clearly DISRUPTION. There are a lot disturbing words in Peter's two letters. Very disturbing indeed.
And I will come back to that later.
Philip DuPont
May 2019
Peter knew like no other how easy it is to be diverted. It makes him the right person to write these two short letters which are the simple vehicles carrying a weighty message for the church in these years leading us into a new decade. I will definitely pay attention to its words and focus.
First of all it's about DETERMINATION.
Peter wrote: "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." An other translation says: Be prepared for action.
The source of this determination is to be found in the revelation of Jesus Christ. Human determination, strong will and personality will not make it.
Then comes the time for DEFINITION.
In Jerusalem Peter presented a fresh and updated revelation of Jesus Christ: ""Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." It generated a strong and immediate response: 'What shall we do?' Determination was intense. They were prepared for action. What did Peter then? He invited them into a defining process. After opening up for the first steps (Repent, be baptised) definition began: "With many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." Lines were drawn.
And it continued: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine."
After definition comes DILIGENCE.
This is what Peer wrote in his 2nd letter: "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." Consider its ultimate goal: "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Diligence must be followed by DEVOTION.
Why? Simply because walking with God, growing in God and partnering with God is a heart-issue... so to say. Therefore after Peter had spoken and people aligned with his word, they devoted themselves to the apostolic fathers' teaching, to their destiny-companions, to the breaking of bread and prayers.
What then?
Personally I mean that it's clearly DISRUPTION. There are a lot disturbing words in Peter's two letters. Very disturbing indeed.
And I will come back to that later.
Philip DuPont
May 2019