2 Peter 1:15

Verse of the Day Devotion.  2 Peter 1:15

“And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind.” – 2 Peter 1:15 

Our focus verse shows us the concern Peter had for those whom he had taught the truth. Looking back a couple of verses, we see he did all he could to help them remember. “Therefore, I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. And I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind.” 2 Peter 1:12-15. He wanted his followers to stay true to God’s Word, and so he ‘stirs them up’. This phrase has the idea of stirring up this knowledge in their minds. You do not want to stir up dirty water, but you may stir that which is pure and sweet as much as ever you like. And a good fire sometimes becomes a better one by a little stirring up. He knows his death is eminent and the Lord had told Peter how he was to die, which would be by crucifixion. “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go. Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, Follow Me!” John 21:18-19.  Therefore, he wanted his followers to remain diligent in thinking about what he taught them, so as not to forget.

He then tells them that what he presented to them was absolute truth. “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16. In his teaching he had nothing to retract;  Peter held fast to what he had previously preached because he knew that it was the very truth of God. He was with Jesus along with James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration when he heard a voice from heaven. “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” Matthew 17:5.

Then Peter tells them that they have a prophetic word from God. “And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19. Peter and the other disciples saw the great works of Christ, and this was the first testimony. The second is the prophecies of the Old Testament. The testimony of the prophets is declared to be more sure than that of the Apostles concerning the voice of the Father in heaven and the transfiguration of Christ; for the Jews held high the prophecies of their fathers.

And the reason that prophecies were important is seen in the last two verses. “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:20-21. We can trust the prophets because their words were not derived from men, but from God spoken to men.

It is absolutely essential that we do the same for the people we minister to and with just as Peter did for those he ministered to. We need to encourage all our brothers and sisters in Christ to be diligent regarding their faith in Christ, encouraging themselves to always remind them themselves of what they know. Help them to stir up the truth so that they will always be ready for anything that may come to distract them from the truth. This is so important, for the enemy wants to take us in another direction, therefore it is necessary to help them stay focused in the truth. And also be willing for others to stir us up, to encourage us to remind ourselves what the truth actually is. This is one way we can be there for each other, supporting one another in the faith. We all have times of trials. So let us be there for each other and help one another be firm in our Christian walk. We all need it at times. Let’s be there when anyone needs us.  

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

2 Timothy 2:15

Verse of the Day Devotion: 2 Timothy 2:15  

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15

At the end of the Gospel of Matthew we read the following. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.  After the resurrection of Jesus and before His ascension, Jesus met with His disciples and told them they were to go throughout the world and make disciples of all nations.  And through the many centuries from the time of Christ to now, people have been given the truth of the gospel and accepted the message and ultimately gave their lives to Christ.  And in this modern time, we as Christians have also accepted this message as well.  And since we have, we have become His disciples and are thus to do the same.

Now, since we are saved, it is important that in order to grow, we must spend time in His word, studying in preparation for going out and bringing this same message to others. And not just some of it but all of it.  “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  This is a critical part of our preparation for going into the world to spread His word, for people will ask questions of us and we must know what to tell them.  “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;“ 1 Peter 3:15. 

And the only way we can do this is if we study His word as a treasure to be valued.  “My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5.

So, going back to our focus verse, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.  We are to spend concerted time and effort in studying His word.  We are to read it and strive to understand what it is truly saying.  We should use whatever resources we have access to in ensuring we derive the true meaning intended.  When we have opportunities to learn from others who are well studied in the scriptures, we should take advantage of it.  And finally, we should in all cases become as the Bereans as Paul spoke of in his travels.  In reference to the Bereans, “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11.  We should receive His word with great eagerness, so much so that we examine what we are told or examine carefully what we read and ensure it is correctly understood. 

It is important that we diligently prepare ourselves for the work God has called us to.  He has a calling for us all.  And no matter what that calling is, we should be ready to accurately explain His word to those who ask, and also live the life God called us to in order to show its reality.  And in all ways, be led by the Holy Spirit in all thing.  In this we will then “present ourselves approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15b.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.