Stirred up by being reminded of the truth ....

Reminding and being awake......

2 Pet 1:12 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.

2 Pet 1:13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,

2 Pet 1:14knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.

2 Pet 1:15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

In the above verses, Peter explains his intention to remind the readers of what they already knew, and were actually established in. 

He also believed it was the right thing for him to continue to stir them up by way of reminding them. He went on to talk about his own coming death, and his determination to make sure they would always have a reminder of the truth. 

The fact is, as stated here, is that there is tremendous value in simply being reminded of what we already know. And, as a faithful Pastor, Peter was going to remind his readers, and continue to remind them. 

Peter had also been told by the Lord that he was going to die soon. He called it shortly, and used the metaphor of a tent for his body. The Bible does speak of our physical bodies as being temporary, like a tent would be to someone, you don't normally live in a tent, but rather in a permanent home. These bodies are like tents for our souls, and we have an eternal body waiting for us in heaven. 

Peter was also going to be faithful in his ministry right to the end. He says 2 Pet 1:15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

This means, that he was dedicating himself to making sure that the flock of God would always have a reminder of the truth of Jesus Christ, even after his death. 

After being saved, Peter entered the ministry of Jesus Christ, and taught and preached the Word of God. That is what he gave himself to. And, even while alive, he was thinking of the future, and of the importance of the Word of God for those who would be living after his death. 

All of that makes a real statement about the importance of the Word of God. But, the thing that is mentioned a couple of times, is this issue of being reminded and then being stirred up through that reminder. 

What happens to us, is that we can grow settled if you will, and need to be stirred up, or awakened to the truth. So, hearing the Word of God can have that effect upon our lives, of waking us up from from sleep. The word stir was also used to speak of arousing the mind, and rendering service to Jesus Christ. 

May we have the same mind as Peter did regarding the Word of God, and not grow weary of it, but benefit from giving ourselves to it, and receiving it with an open and humble heart. 

In Jesus name, amen...

Pastor Bob Grenier. 

The call to Christian Growth, and it's benefits

The call to Christian Growth, and it's benefits

The call to, and benefits of growing in Christ.

 2 Peter 1:5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

 2 Peter 1:5to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,

 2 Peter 1:5to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

 2 Peter 1:5For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 2 Peter 1:5For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Because we are saved, Peter encourages his readers to give all diligence in adding their faith. And then Peter lists, seven things to be added to our faith. Or, seven fruits of Godly character. 

The phrase giving all diligence, means, "to supply generously" The idea here is, that as we develop one quality, we will naturally exercise another quality. 

Virtue means moral excellence. And, the idea here, is that this is what we ought to be like, this is what we should be doing in our lives. 

Knowledge, means knowledge that is growing, and a practical knowledge or discernment. It refers to the ability within life to handle life in a successful manner. 

Temperance or self-control. Being a person in control of themselves. This is a very needed quality in our lives. 

Patience is having that ability to handle the hard and difficult circumstances of life patiently.  It's being able to handle the pressures and problems of life, and not give up. 

Godliness is a big word with a simple meaning. It means, god-likeness. It's when we do the things that are right and we make the right decisions according to the will and Word of God. 

Brotherly kindness, or loving one another. A genuine, and sincere love for one another. 

Love, is the kind of love that is willing to, and does sacrifice for others. 

So, that's what we are called to, and the benefits of adding to our faith are listed, as well as the consequences of not having these things added to our faith. 

Benefits......2 Peter 1:5For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Consequences......2 Peter 1:5For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

If we are growing, we will be fruitful and knowledgeable about the Lord. If we are not adding these things to our faith, we will not have hope as to where we are going, and we will forget where we have come from, and what God has done in forgiving our sins. 

In other words the growing christian can see heaven if you will, they know where they are going and are mindful of it, and it's never far from their minds that they are new creatures who have been forgiven by God. 

Thank You Father for Your grace, mercy and peace. 

Pastor Bob Grenier. 

What is the christian life. 3 examples are given to us here.

An example of the christian life.....

2nd Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ.

In this verse, we see what the Christian life looks like, when it's as it ought to be. In other words, what you see in Peter, is what God would have in our lives as well. So, here are 3 things to consider. 

First of all, a change has taken place. You have been born again. Peter, used both his old name and his new name in introducing himself in this letter. 

He had been called Simon, but, Jesus changed his name to Peter. That change of names, brings to my mind the truth of being born again. It certainly happened to Peter. And, it's happened to you if you have been saved, you have also been born again. You are a new creature in Jesus Christ.  See John 3:3, and  2nd Cor 5:17, and Titus 3:5

Secondly, you have been called to servanthood. Notice how Peter identifies himself. "A bondservant" Or more literally, a slave. It's when a person gives himself up to another's will, and becomes a servant of Christ, used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men. 

It's when a Christian is devoted to Christ, to the disregard of his or her own interests. It's to be an attendant to Jesus Christ. Waiting on Him, and serving Him. This is our reasonable and logical worship, to serve the Lord. 

See Rom 12:1-2

Finally, each Christian has a specific role to play in that service of Jesus Christ. In Peter's case, he had been called to be an apostle. Or a messenger of Jesus Christ, and was used to help lay the foundation of the church. 

He also was a pastor teacher, and an evangelist. 

Each Christian has at least one gift from God, to be used in service for Him.

And, it's through the use of that gift, or gifts, that we accomplish the will of God for our lives in serving Jesus Christ.  See Rom 12:3-8, 1st Cor 12, and Eph 4:1-16

The joy of new life, and of service for Christ. What could a man give in exchange for his soul. Thus, to be saved, is not only a work of God, and a gift from God, but, it's the greatest blessing a person can have in their life. 

And, it's truly more blessed to give then it is to receive. That's what Jesus said. See Acts 20:35. May God bless you in your new life, and in your service to Christ. And if by some chance you have become dormant in serving Him, then may I encourage you to stir up the gift of God in you, and let God get you back into service. 

Thank You Father, for Your grace, mercy and peace. May they all increase in our lives, through knowing You. 

Pastor Bob Grenier.