Peter's Blessing

I keep a portrait of John Newton (1725-1807), author of "Amazing Grace" and pastoral counselor extraordinaire, hanging in my office at church. Of the many Newton quotes that have guided me in my Christian life and ministry, this is one of my favorites:

Surely much of that hasty and critical spirit, too often observable in young converts, arises from their having, as yet, a very imperfect acquaintance with the deceitfulness of their own hearts. But the old weather-beaten Christian, who has learned by sorrowful experience how weak he is in himself, and what powerful subtle enemies he has to grapple with--acquires a tenderness in dealing with bruises and broken bones, which greatly conduces to his acceptance and usefulness to others. [lightly updated for clarity]

I think of Peter when I read that description. By the time Peter writes his second epistle, no traces remain of that hasty and critical spirit he manifested early in his walk with Jesus. Why not? He has experienced too much of his own deceitful heart, his own spiritual weakness, his own subtle enemies. He has personally known too much of the mercy, patience, and kindness of Jesus for him at his worst. Through the painful school of experience, Peter has been humbled, healed, and tenderized by Christ's love. He is an old weather-beaten Christian, able to help us with our own bumps and bruises.

Knowing this about Peter, and learning that this will be his final letter (1:13-15), should cause us to lean forward in our seats when he voices this prayer for us in 1:2. What kind of blessing does an old, weather-beaten Christian like Peter offer for us? "May grace and peace be multiplied to you, in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."

At the end of his long road of discipleship, Peter knows the greatest gift he could ask for us is not that we would have wealth, success, or popularity, but that we would experience more and more of God's grace and peace in our lives. Grace: God's generous favor, poured out on undeserving sinners through the finished work of Christ. Peace: the wholeness, security, and satisfaction that only comes from God making his face to shine upon you. Peter prays that these spiritual gifts would be multiplied to us.

"Whatever you have known of God's grace and peace until now, he has so much more to give," Peter is saying. "So may you never rest content with God's past-grace or present-peace. May you receive fresh supplies from him each day, and may his grace and peace keep increasing in your life, all of your days." Is this what you would pray for the people you love? Do you want more of God's grace and peace for yourself?

Peter also tells us where this ever-multiplying grace and peace can be found: "in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord." The better we come to know God, the more of his grace and peace we will experience. So let's get to know him! Learn his character and his ways, his will and his desire for our lives, what he has done for us in Christ and how he calls us to respond. Discover how good and faithful he is by personally trusting and obeying him with more and more of your life. This is Peter's dearest wish for this church, and the great theme of this last letter, as the final verse reminds us: "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (3:18)."

Are you growing in your knowledge of God? Do you know him better today than you did last year? Those who know God best enjoy the richest awareness of his grace, and walk in the deepest sense of his peace. Let's get started!

FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT, SEE:

Article by Eric Smith
Senior Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church