Homily from Responsive Prayer on December 4, 2023

Monday, December 4, 2023                                                   2 Peter 1:1-21

When Peter says in his letter to the church at large: “Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.” And then in verse 15, “I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.” 

I immediately thought of that ever-present and ever-useful invention known as the sticky note.  I’ve got a stack and they serve as delightful reminders of what to do, list of errands, list of authors and books to explore, list of items to purchase at the store.  

But Peter is speaking of things that are much more profound than a to-do list.  He is speaking of how we shall be in this world.  

Despite the immense beauty of this world, our innate selfishness and pride brings unbridled corruption.  We make this beautiful world dark and occasionally ugly because we are beholden to the prince of darkness. Yet, for some unknown reason, buried deep within the mystery of God, we are called to faith. 

How we are to be in this world has everything to do with who has claimed us.  The Holy Spirit has blown into our corruption and created faith within us through God’s Holy Word and His Gospel.  He has seen fit to arrange for our baptism and the mark of our Lord Jesus Christ’s is laid upon us. Jesus dies on the cross for us so that we can know our heavenly Father’s forgiveness and His peace. 

We shall live in this world as a person of faith – with the cross firmly planted upon us and standing always before us.  With faith in Christ’s action upon the cross, we respond to God’s grace by growing in faith. 

We remember that Peter is no stranger to growing in faith.  He had enough faith to follow Jesus when Jesus called him. Yet, we recall that this is the same man who got out of the boat and sank.  This is the same man who tried to persuade Jesus that he did not have to die on a cross and rise on the third.  This is the same man who denied even knowing Jesus, not once, but three times, after Jesus was arrested.  

This Apostle knows how important and how hard it is to learn and grow in faith.  

And yet, our faith leads us to persist, despite our doubts or perceived and real failures.  Peter gives instruction on the direction of our discipleship.  With faith as the baseline, and with the Holy Spirit working through God’s Word and the Christian community, we learn to live virtuously. Let our actions and words be guided by the command to love God and love the neighbor. 

Peter instructs us to fill our heads with God’s Word.  This includes the Bible verses and stories, the hymns, the creeds, the liturgy, and the catechism.  

We respond to God’s grace of forgiveness and salvation by using our freedom in the Gospel to exhibit self-control.  We check those impulses of word and action.  For example, you don’t have to say or write everything that is on your mind.  You don’t have to buy everything – even if you can afford it. And, you don’t have to indulge every desire. 

All the while that we are saying no or yes deliberately, we do so with God’s Word and God’s grace shaping our decisions.  

How shall we live in this world?  We are a people who think and behave as if we are grounded in God’s Word.  Peter calls this godliness. 

Christians are never formed alone – we have our Christian family, friends, our congregation. In these places we practice loving affection upon one another. 

Peter reminds us that the faith we have in Christ frees us to dwell in God’s Truth so that it effects every aspect of our lives. 

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.