“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on)the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16-18)
Peter, knowing that the time of his death was approaching, desired to impart some final words of exhortation and teaching to his fellow believers. He exhorted them to grow in Christ and hold fast to the truth of the gospel. Peter reminded them that they already possessed in Christ Jesus, by the Spirit and by the word, everything they needed to discern the truth as well as to expose and respond to false teachings. They were to be wary of false teachers, a problem that plagued the Church from almost the very beginning. The words of the message proclaimed by false teachers arose not from the heart and mind of God, but out of the false prophet’s mind or imagination. However, believers can be sure of the divine origin and authority of the gospel which he and the other apostles preached to them because they received the gospel from Jesus Himself. He had beheld Jesus divine glory at Jesus’ transfiguration. Jesus is not only Savior he is the Son of God, God incarnate.
God’s word is divine and our ultimate authority. As long as the church preaches His word it teaches the very words of God. As long as believers know the truth of the gospel and hold fast to it they are safe from error. But this knowledge does not come automatically nor does spiritual maturity. Although believers possess all the necessary resources they need to live and grow in Christ, growth requires their active and energetic participation. As Christians we must actively study the word of God for it will show us the light of truth which can be applied to every situation, trial or temptation we may face. That way we will not fall prey to the lies of false teachers even those who come in the Lord’s name.