Picture two churches. The first, (let’s call it Guarded Gospel Church), is known for its doctrinal precision. They’re serious about defending the truth—guest speakers are vetted, statements of faith are airtight, and everyone knows what they’re against. This vigilance is important; Peter’s second letter reminds us that false teaching and ungodliness are genuine threats.
But ask someone in the pew about the beauty and majesty of Jesus, or how they’ve grown in godliness lately, and you might get silence.
Now picture the second church: Gospel Growth Fellowship. They’re all about becoming more like Jesus (or so they say). They speak much of grace, love, and transformation. And yet they’ve let theological clarity slip. “We’re all about love,” they might say, even as unbiblical ideas begin to take root.
These churches represent two real dangers: attempting to defend the gospel without growing in grace, or attempting to grow in grace without guarding the gospel.
2 Peter was written to call the church back to both.
Peter’s own punchline says:
“Be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless… But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
(2 Peter 3:17–18)
It’s both/and. Guard the gospel. Grow in grace.
1. Picturing Our Glorious God and Saviour
Peter opens by reminding his readers of who Jesus is: “our God and Saviour Jesus Christ” (1:1). For a Jewish man raised on the Shema—“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one”—this is a radical statement. Jesus is not just a wise teacher or powerful prophet. He is divine. And Peter, who saw Jesus glorified at the Transfiguration, calls us to lift our eyes and see the glory of Christ.
What’s more, this glorious Jesus is not far off. Peter’s language describing the Christian life is al ‘knowing’ and ‘knowledge’ How beautiful that the Apostle who walked closely with Jesus insists we too can know him so intimately.
2. The Power of the Gospel
Peter reminds us that Jesus’ divine power has given us “everything we need for a godly life” (1:3). We’re not left to struggle on our own. Through the promises of the gospel, we have escaped the corruption of sin and are now participants in God’s divine nature (1:4). What a stunning image—sharing in the very life and love of God. We aren’t just forgiven—we are being remade to reflect Jesus Himself.
3. Progress in Christlike Living
Speaking of which... Peter then gives us a list of seven virtues that flow from faith: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love (1:5–7). These are not random qualities—they are the character traits of Jesus. To grow in these areas is to become more like Him.
And Peter is clear: make every effort to grow in them. Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident. Like furnishing a new home, it takes time and intention—but the resources have already been provided. His divine power has already equipped us.
If we neglect this, we become “ineffective and unproductive” (1:8). We lose sight of who Jesus is, what He’s done, and what He’s promised to do.
4. Prepared for the Coming of Christ
Finally, Peter points us forward: “you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (1:11). Jesus is coming back. This truth—central to Christian hope—was being denied by false teachers in Peter’s day, just as it is so often neglected today.
If Jesus isn’t returning, why strive for holiness? Why resist sin? Why even need a Saviour? Denying Christ’s return unravels the entire Christian life – as the false teachers in Asia Minor were proving (see the rest of the letter!)
But Peter says Jesus is returning. And when He does, we want to be ready. That means not only believing the right things—but growing in the right direction.
So Peter says to us:
• Look up and see the majesty of Jesus.
• Look back and remember the transforming power of the gospel.
• Look within and ask where you need to grow.
• Look forward and live in light of Christ’s return.
Series: 2 Peter: Be on Guard, Grow in Grace
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