Make Every Effort: Peter's Fervent PleasSample

Day 13: Peter’s Third Fervent Plea

Peter said in 2 Peter 1:13-16: “I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

Are we living our lives just for ourselves, or are we living in such a way that others are also embracing life in Jesus Christ? Are we leaving a legacy to lead those who follow us into life everlasting? Peter wanted to make sure that he warned his readers of dangers to avoid and joys to embrace. He had been in the presence of Jesus, and his life had been transformed. He had been transformed from a rough foot-in-mouth fisherman to a gentle giant in the faith. He knew what that transformation involved, and he wanted to make sure that all his readers had everything they needed to embrace this fabulous choice for Jesus!

The psalmist in Psalm 71:17-18 said something very similar: “Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come."

There are two aspects to this: one to make sure the Word gets to everyone possible, and two, to leave a legacy of life, so that those coming after you will remember you and your words and through them will eagerly follow passionately after Jesus Christ. In our own lives we need to never forget the basics of our faith. Remember in our earlier lesson how Peter said to add to our faith, goodness? When we are working on goodness, we don’t forget faith, do we? Of course not; faith is a foundation principle, and goodness will fail if it’s not based on our faith.

And when we develop knowledge, our faith and goodness must continue. As we move deeper into the beauties of knowing Jesus Christ, we must always remember where we started, and that is what Peter is concerned for here. There are many scriptures about leaving a witness for succeeding generations and here is one from Psalm 106:30-31: “But Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was checked. This was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come.”

Reflection: As we grow in Christ, are we remembering the basics of our faith, or are we getting sloppy about all we believe? The Christians who make a difference in this world are the ones who walk their talk. And then they work to leave a legacy for future generations. They want to reach as many as possible with the Gospel–even those who are born long after them.