Introduction to 2 Peter 1
There are portions of scripture that seem to have been tailor-made
for the needs of God’s last-day people. Second Peter summarizes the
message of all sixty-six books of the Bible—that God is worthy of
man’s admiration and trust—in a way that is particularly helpful to
believers living just prior to Christ’s second coming
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Ellen White was fascinated with Peter’s second epistle. She loved
its optimism and often used it as a touchstone for letters, sermons, and
articles. Of special interest to her was the clear help 2 Peter provided
in the area of child guidance
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We live in an age when many individuals are skeptical about the
value of Christianity. And this skepticism goes largely unchecked
because most forms of Christianity do not hold out much hope to the
individual who wishes to experience real Christlike character develop-
ment in this life, in the here and now
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But Seventh-day Adventists are different. They rejoice in the
possibility of daily change after the likeness of Jesus. Further, they
believe not only that this growth has to do with the soul but that it is
reflected in all aspects of living, whether health, education, citizenship,
or parenting. They refer to this renewal and growth process as character
development
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Sometimes nonbelieving friends interpret the Seventh-day Adven-
tist emphasis on character development as legalism and a system of
salvation by works. But Adventists have a realistic understanding of
man’s grave limitations. Consequently, their optimism has not to do
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with their own ability to change and grow; it has to do with God’s
ability to restore His creatures, which is so clearly documented in such
passages as
2 Peter 1
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God never makes claims without providing evidence, and he has
always sought to have a people whose lives would demonstrate the
wisdom of his values. Seventh-day adventists believe that God has
called them to live the message they preach, and so demonstrate its
effectiveness for renewal in this life. The life styles of God’s remnant
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