A Legacy of Truth
We arrived late to Nathan and Stephanie’s home last night. It was a surprise and very special to have the entire family waiting for me when I arrived at the airport. This morning, I went to Carter’s baseball practice. Mason’s practice is tomorrow. This evening we will go to Nathan’s parents home for cookout.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Therefore I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you have. I consider it right, as long as I am in this bodily tent, to wake you up with a reminder, knowing that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has also shown me. And I will also make every effort that you may be able to recall these things at any time after my departure.” 2 Peter 1:12-15 HCSB
Peter’s second letter is much like Paul’s second letter to Timothy. They were both written by these apostles with a sense of their life soon coming to an end. As a result, they carry some great significance. Peter’s short second letter is written to not teach what would be considered “new” as much as to remind and emphasize again some important principles. Principles that he wanted to “out live” him and to be remembered.
Just that point begs an important question. Is the issue to learn as much as possible? or Is it to have the best grasp on the most important concepts that need to be applied to our Christian life? I believe Peter’s letter leads us to focus on the latter. As he sensed the “time of his departure” he was not trying to cram more information into the minds of believers. Instead he is reminding them of some truths, “even though you know them…”
As we look at the early verses of chapter 1, we see some of the things Peter is reminding believers about. He talks about God’s “precious promises” that are important to embrace and serve to help us “participate in the Divine nature and escape corruption in the world.” He then lays out a list of character qualities that are to be present and growing in the believer’s life. Things like, being sure to “supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” (2 Peter 1:5-7 HCSB)
The bottom line is this: “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:8 HCSB)
As I think of Peter’s priorities, I think of what I would want my children and grandchildren to remember after I’m gone. Last month at our GrandCamp a grandmother was present with two of her grandchildren. The grandmother’s father had just passed away a couple of months before the camp. All of them had lived together in the same house before his passing.
During the “blessing ceremony” the grandmother reminded her grandchildren of “great-gramps” two verses that he often quoted to the children. Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you” and “He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”
I was impressed by the power of those two verses on the lives of these young children as they grow into adulthood. It made me consider, it is not the “top ten” most important verses of the Bible. It may be one or two that can serve as an anchor for faith and focus. I think Peter would be pleased with the legacy left by this great grandfather’s reminder of God’s abiding presence and ability to work on our behalf. I am still thinking of my basic verses, my “legacy of truth.”
Prayer for today…. Lord, I’m reminded that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” It is easy to have pride in how much we know, but too often we fall short on our love for You based on how we live. Help our faith and obedience to run deep in our commitment to You and Your ways. Help us to leave a legacy of truth that will out live us.