Peter knew his days on earth were coming to an end. The Lord Jesus had made it clear to him that “the putting off of my body will be soon.” And so, rather than go sky-diving . . . or rocky mountain climbing . . . or trying to 8 seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu . . . (don’t get me wrong, I really the song) . . . Peter instead decides to stir it up in a different way.

“Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.” (2Peter 1:12-15 ESV)

Almost with a sense of urgency, Peter has launched into his second letter with the message that, by God’s divine power, He has granted to all believers all that they need to live godly lives and partake in the divine nature. Peter comes out of the gates hard . . . “make every effort” to build upon your faith (1:5-7) . . . “be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure” (1:10) . . . “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:8).

Next to them not knowing the Lord at all, the next most painful thought for Peter was of these believers being saved but lazy with their faith . . . of not working it to its max potential . . . of not participating in the things of the divine nature they now possessed . . . of being barren . . . of falling short of the fruit-bearing potential that had been infused within their very DNA through the regenerating work of the Spirit of God. And then, after his initial flurry of “go for it!” exhortation, Peter takes a breath and says, here’s why I’m writing this to you . . . to stir it up.

Peter’s purpose is clear . . . to put his audience in remembrance of foundational, life-stabilizing truth. There was a lot of stuff competing for their attention these days . . . the least of which was an increasingly antagonistic Roman government . . . the winds of persecution were forming into an all out hurricane of harassment . . . even unto death! And so, Peter, knowing that he would not be able to be directly in their corner much longer, writes to remind them . . . to make every effort that right thinking was planted in their minds and hearts . . . that the right perspective was accessible as they did life . . . that the right values and motives were entrenched as “just trying to make it through the day” sought to work its way to the top of their priority list.

And so Peter brings again to their attention their calling . . . and puts before them again Jesus’ coming. He prompts them regarding their purpose and mission . . . and puts before them again Christ’s power and majesty. He tells them to pay attention to the Word “as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (1:19).

And sometimes I think I need to have it stirred up, too . . . maybe most times. My tendency towards to forgetfulness is not solely attached to me getting a bit older . . . but maybe to it all becoming more familiar. That’s why I need to stay in the Word . . . that’s why I need to ask the Spirit to “open my eyes” each and every time I open The Book . . . that’s why I need to desire not new revelation (it is after all “the old, old, story”), but to ask for fresh revelation . . . God let me read it again as if for the first time.

Stir it up, Lord . . . by Your grace . . . and for Your glory . . .