You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.—2 Peter 3:17-18
I am great at multi-tasking...it comes naturally. I do it almost without thinking. Yes, I can accomplish much in a short amount of time, but it is not the ideal when I am studying the word of God. For this reason, my mind needs to be consciously told to focus and to settle when I study Scripture. If I don’t, I lose both the thread and the point of what the inspired author is trying to tell me. In my defense, I think the syntax of the more accurate, literal translations make this failing of mine more likely when I read the Bible.
What do I do to combat these wayward tendencies of mine? First and foremost, I pray and ask the Spirit of God to illuminate His word and give me understanding. Next, I read the given passage in the NKJV. I follow that up by reading said same passage in the Amplified version.
The Amplified for me is like a person sitting across the room from me echoing and explaining what I just read in plain, but descriptive language. It brings to mind those men in the time of Nehemiah who read from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. I will be honest. Sometimes the Amplified Version clarifies so much that it literally brings tears to my eyes...I am that thankful.
This morning was no exception. Here are the verses I read first in the NKJV.
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Now most people would have no trouble following...me...I read it and understand what they are saying but it takes the Amplified to tie it together for me.
Therefore, [let me warn you] beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith], 18 but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Now I get it...now it is clear. This is a summary statement. He ends the book the same way He began. Peter wrote 2nd Peter to warn believers about the false teachers that were bringing trouble and instability into the church by teaching wrong doctrine. He begins in Chapter 1 by exhorting believers to keep a close watch over their personal lives....to be diligent to make their call and election sure...to live godly, steadfast lives. (Read 2 Peter 1:2-11) He ends the book here in Chapter 3 by doing the same. Verse 18 gives us the antidote for false teaching...
but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
To put it very simply, pursue spiritual maturity by sinking your roots deep into His word. A deeper knowledge of the LordJesus Christ will lead to doctrinal stability and prevent a Christian from being led astray by false teachers. Beloved, our faith is built on the truth of God’s word...quoting John MacArthur here...”on the objective, historical, revealed, rational truth from God and is intended to be understood and believed.” The deeper the knowledge, the more grace and peace are multiplied in the believer’s heart. (See 2 Peter 1:2)
But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ. 16 From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.—Ephesians 4:15-16
Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent.—John 17:3
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory and majesty of God [clearly revealed] in the face of Christ.—2 Corinthians 4:6
[I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son].—Ephesians 1:17
