THE TEACHING OF PETER

Peter spoke of Divine instruction. He masterfully blended the teaching of God with giving heed to the Scriptures. As he neared the end of his earthly sojourn, he bolstered the confidence of believers by appealing to their expectation. They did not live with the handicaps of Israel, but had been given a Word that was more solid and productive. "And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet 1:19-21).

A more certain word

The word of the prophets is "made more certain" in Jesus; i.e., it has been fulfilled in Him. It will bear remarkable fruit if given due attention! Pay attention to it, Peter says. Put your heart and soul into it! Ponder it! Meditate upon it! You are dwelling upon ultimate truth when you dwell on the prophetic word, i.e. , the Word concerning the Savior. And what will happen as you contemplate the "glorious Gospel of the blessed God?" God will teach you!

The day will dawn

Take these marvelous words into your heart: "the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." The heart of the message will become apparent to you. The Word of God will make sense to you, and become clear to you. You will be able to "walk in the light as He is in the light" (1 John 1:7). You will no longer stumble, like those walking in the darkness of night (John 11:9-10). The things of God will "fall together" for you!

What causes the day to dawn?

What causes the dawning of this spiritual day, and the rising of the "day star" in our heart? How is it that Jesus begins to be "formed" in you (Gal 4:19)? It is because you have been "taught by God!" Human intelligence cannot produce "the light of the glory of the knowledge of God in the face of Christ Jesus" (2 Cor 4:6)! The well of human knowledge is not deep enough to yield "springs of living water!" (John 4:14). "This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes" (Psa 118:23). Peter instructs us to devote ourselves to the word of the Gospel, expecting Divine intervention to enhance our perspective of the things of God. It is true, "They will all be taught by God!"

Tomorrow: THE TEACHING OF JOHN on being taught by God