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2 Peter 3:1-2
The Apostle Peter begins this third chapter of his epistle by stating why he has written it, and together with his first epistle, is for the purpose to, “stir up your pure minds by way of reminder” (2 Peter 3:1). This statement in itself is a reminder of who it is that Peter is writing to, and that is as he states in his introduction to the epistle, “To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1b). This ties in with his comment of stirring up your pure minds (2 Peter 3:1) which can only be obtained through salvation in Christ Jesus. For this group of people (those who follow the Way/those who have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior/Christians), Peter’s desire for writing his epistles is to give cause to make aware and take action in the words of the prophets that spoke of the coming Messiah, and of the commandment given to the apostles by Christ Jesus to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-47: and John 20:21).
This is a command to allow God’s Word to stir you up/to make you excited about sharing your testimony and the gospel with others.
This is a command to follow in the teachings of Jesus in putting God first in your life, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34-35, 15:12).
The Apostle Peter says that he writes these things to be a reminder to be mindful of the words of Scripture. We learn about God and His great plan of salvation for all people through the Old Testament and the New Testament Scriptures. They teach us why we need salvation and how to get it; how God showed the whole world that He is the one and only true God of heaven and how He sent us His Son to be our redeemer and Savior of our souls. He shows us how we strive to redeem ourselves, but in so doing we strive in vain being of the sinful nature as we cannot cure/save ourselves – it takes purity in an acceptable sacrifice to overcome the sinful nature. That purity is only found in Jesus. Jesus tells us in Luke 16:16, “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” The Bible is our reminder, our daily refreshing and renewing of our souls in learning of it’s words and how we can apply them in our lives to bring glory to God – it starts with opening your heart to Jesus and asking through faith in Him of forgiveness; accepting that He died for your sins; and repenting from the sinful nature of this world and putting on the new life that He gives you in that forgiveness and filling of His Holy Spirit to be your guide to life – true life—in Christ.
Dear LORD,
The Apostle Peter tells us why he wrote these words – to be a reminder to us to read, study, and learn Your Word that You inspired through Your Holy Spirit for him and the other apostles and prophets to write. And in learning of Your Word that we would apply these things –in Christ – in our lives and bring glory to You Almighty God. In Jesus name I pray, amen.