Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 158th. Edition.
Dear Aliens and Strangers in this World,
Today’s passage (2 Peter 1:8-9) is a continuation of the theme in the preceding verses. Christians have just been encouraged to continually add virtues to their faith. This is not without good reason.
Purpose (v. 8). The faith commitment we make to God in Jesus is often referred to as knowing God or knowing Christ. This is not information-based knowledge but the personal experience of a person. God’s intention is that when we come to Christ, we will bear fruit. Often, we think of fruit as those we bring to Christ. But there is also the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which sounds a lot like the virtues we saw in the preceding verses. The reason God saves us and keeps us on earth is so that we can represent Christ to others in our lives. If we develop the virtues, we will not be without fruit and influence.
Problem (v. 9). Unfortunately, some people have ignored this and chased after things or esoteric experiences. Peter says of such people that they are shortsighted and blind. They fail to see beyond their lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, to the outcome of their actions. Such people behave as though they are not saved, as though the forgiveness and purging of sins did not happen to them. It is another way of saying that they are just like unbelievers.
In this, they fail to accomplish the purpose for which God saved them. Let us not lose our focus. Christlikeness must be seen in us.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.