The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Peter — Section 37

<Jhrist. That is what Peter in effect says here, the sum of the truth he urges-'' the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ," that is, his Deity and Incarnation, the God-M~n. In makin~ Christ known Scripture necessarily touches on other subjects, for he 1s connected with every part of the Father's will, and he cannot be separated from them; there must be some reference to them, and this may be indistinct, leaving much to be known hereafter. But we may be sure there will be nothing indistinct in the great central theme of the revelation. It would be regeneration to some if they would be content to leave these minor matters unsolved, and, remembering that the object of this record is to make Christ known, would lend their powers to discover the certainty about him, and rest in that. 2. Heu; the revelation of the Father. "Who by searching can find out God?" but in Jesus we have God manifested. "The '\Vord was God," and " the Word was made flesh." The revelation of Christ is the manifestation of the Godhead. 3. He is the filling up of every human need. For man's condemna- tion there is acquittal in him; for his sin there is the possibility of holiness; for his perplexity there is light; for his difficulties there is help; for his sorrows there is infiuitc love; for his fear of the future there are life and immortality. • So perfectly, can Christ raise us to the perfection of which our nature i~ capable, that it is said, "Ye are complete in him." The revelation of Christ is the s~tisfaction of men. 4. He i.s the end we are called to reach. For what were we made? .Apart from him we know not. Do we fulfil our end in the toil and tears, the change and weariness, the fleeting pleasures and the lasting pains of three score years and ten? Is there nothing beyond. this-nothing to which this may be but the development, nothing beneath it, whose• blessedness shall justify our existence? God replies by revealing Jesus. His life and clcath and rising again, the work of his ascended life,-they are to raise us to likeness to himself: " We a.re predestined to be conformed to the image of God's Son," 'l'he revelation of Christ is the guide and hope of our being. !L PERSO!sAL KNOWLEDGE IS THE GROUND OF CERTAINTY ABOUT CHRIST. Eye- witnesses, ear-witnesses, of what he is, therefore we know ;-that is the ground of the apostle's assurance. There is here the suggestion of doubt concerning what was said of Christ. If we have sincere doubt about what is essential, it is better to face it and set tie it, not to leave it to work its quiet mischief within us, or cast its shadow on our belief, but to look at it steadily, to turn on it the light of reason and truth, and satisfy ourselves that there is nothing in it. Some things it is not essential to know, and from their nature they are unknowable here; but of the mystery in what is essential, there is a solution somewhere, and to it God will not fail to guide the childlike spirit. There are three simple arguments which show it to be incredible that the doctrine of Jesus is a "cunningly devised fable." How could these unlearned men invent a fable surpassingly beyond what the world had ever beard, and so cunningly that for eighteen centuries it has deceived those who have tested it with tbe eagerness of settling life and death? Then how came this fable they had invented to change their own characters, and enable them to seal their testimony with their blood? 'fhen how is it this fable bas proved the regeneration of mankind, has become the world's hope, anu is cleaved to with unwavering assurance by growing millions of the race? But notice how Peter meets the suggestion. He does not argue-he rests on what he himself had seen and heard. There was one season he ever remembered, when he was with his Lord in the "holy mount," and there came "such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Our certainty about Chri$t may have the same grouod. .At first we must depend on outside testimony for our km,wledge of Cl1rist; Lut when that has done most for us, there is a better assurance possible, personal fellowship with himself, that is the antidote to doubt about him. Let him work his work upon you, and you will smile at the suggestion that the "power and coming of the Lord Jesus" is a" cunningly devised fable." 11!. CEilTAINTY ADOUT CHRIST THE SECRET OF Sl'IIUTUAL EARNESTNESS. Let US have no rest till we come to certainty about our Lord. We may be as certain that ho is, and that he is the Saviour of sinners, and tbe Satisfaction of human needs, as we are of our existence. 'l'hen we shall be animated with earnestness in cleaving to him, in li\·ing for him; duty no more cold and bard, but joyous service for the Living One we love; the very sorrows that draw us to him tinged with joy; yea, death itself no longer dreaded Lccause we see him waiting for us on the further shore,-0; N, oli. 1. 1-21.] THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. 31