The Basis of Our Faith (2 Pet 1:19-21)
We must have a very firm basis for our faith. The basis of what we believe is very important. The Word of God is God’s revealed word to us. If we do not believe the written Word, we would not believe God’s audible voice or vision.
The word “more” is an expression that means we have the most sure word of prophecy. It is absolutely certain that we have the Word of God. The Word of God is the word of prophecy regarding the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The Apostle Peter is here explaining that what they witnessed and experienced in the gospels is merely what was predicted and foretold in the Old Testament. It is a fulfilment of the prophecy in the Old Testament scriptures. The Word of God is the only thing that is certain. The only way to be absolutely certain is to see what God declared through the Word of God.
The word “interpretation” has the idea of an explanation of a vision or a dream. The interpretation is not of one’s own. Scripture and its authority do not come from man. Even though human writers were used by God to write the Word of God, the authority is not of man. The origin of scripture is not of man. Because the origin is not of man, we must understand and treat that it is from God.
It is most comforting that the basis of our faith is not of man, but of God. The authority of our lives is from God Himself. In the last days, there will be false preachers that will come into the church. How would we respond to them? The Word of God is to be our foundation. Our confidence must be in God’s Word. Thus, if the basis of our faith is of God, we must take heed (2 Pet 1:19b). To “take heed” is to pay attention, follow carefully and do not depart from it. By taking heed to the Word of God, we will be like a light in a dark place. In 2 Peter 1:19b, the “day star” is the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God will lead and guide us in this dark world until the Lord Jesus Christ comes. Do we know scriptures? Are we meditating on it? If we have done so, we must take heed and follow it. It will guard you and protect you and will give you a firm foundation that we can stand upon. |