“I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory, since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:13-21 (NRS)
What a powerful witness the blessed Apostle left for us! This paragraph is bursting with foundational understanding. Read it again carefully. Note his points. Hear the warnings. Receive the message.
Nearly forty years ago, I quoted a Scripture trying to excuse my ungodly lifestyle. My father, a preacher and pastor, heard me and immediately admonished me with these quiet but firm words: “Son, you didn’t read that Scripture correctly.” Later when I got home, I re-read the passage and discovered that dad was correct and I was wrong. That one incident has impacted the way I read Scripture more than any other incident I can recall.
Too many times we read Scripture from our perspective rather than from the perspective of the author who was inspired of God to write it. Over the years, listening to friends, colleagues, professional theologians, and TV evangelists, I have discovered that personal interpretations seem to be more important to most people than what the Scripture actually says. The Apostle Peter, however, testified that “no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation.”
We are supposed let The Word of God be alive in us (Col. 3:16). We are admonished to allow it to be planted in us (James 1:21). The Word of God restores our soul and guides us in the paths of true righteousness (Psalm 23:2-3). When the Word of God is alive in us, it will motivate us (Jer. 20:9). It will shatter our pride and apathy (Jer. 23:29). “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12 NRS).
Dear Father, thank you for your Word. Grant that we may be men and women whose lives and ministries are founded upon your Word. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his Word and live by its commands,