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2 Peter 1:16
16 For [gar] we have [exakoloutheo] not [ou] followed [exakoloutheo] cunningly devised [sophizo] fables [muthos], when we made known [gnorizo] unto you [humin] the power [dunamis] and [kai] coming [parousia] of our [hemon] Lord [kurios] Jesus [Iesous] Christ [Christos], but [alla] were [ginomai] eyewitnesses [epoptes] of his [ekeinos] majesty [megaleiotes]. KJV-Interlinear
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. NASB
Cleverly devised tales, refers to the many lies and games that people use in order to gain a following, or pursue their spiritual life.
This can include the lies of religion, such as using the enticements of virgins, the sin of lust, in order to gain a following.
This can include the various gimmicks used by clubs or organizations, to gain a following. Gimmicks such as basing a study or religion on ‘promises’ or categorizing a spiritual process for ‘women only’ or any one of a number of gimmicks that are nothing more than marketing enticements for publications and such.
The Word of God states clearly, ‘Study to show thyself approved (mature).’ And study means to study word by word, building knowledge and wisdom by building precept upon precept, principle upon principle and so forth.
The spiritual life is not going to be a one-time quick fix for ones life. The spiritual life is not going to be something that you can pursue for a short time (a week, a month, a year) and then be complete or finished with it.
The study of the word is a life long commitment, with steady growth, occasional testing, and a never-ending commitment to the study process for growth and maturity. It does not include a genie for your convenience, and it does not include miracles to help convince or win you over.
The time for miracles was in the last dispensation. Our dispensation is one of faith through doctrine from the written word. We do not have visions, or dreams, or the voice of God to help convince us of His plan and purpose. All we have is the Bible.
And through the written word only, God has explained His plan and His coming in power.
Peter, James and John saw Jesus in His glory on the mount of transfiguration, Matt. 17:1-5. That must have been a tremendous convincing, and emotional experience. None of us, has ever seen such an appearance.
That event would have made an impression on them, convincing them of the ultimate power and awesomeness of Christ. They saw it first hand, you and I have not. And yet, we cling to our faith based on the words of doctrine only, without ever hearing or seeing Christ in person.
Peter has seen the actual glory of Christ. We have seen it through the Word. We do not and should not, turn to emotional gimmicks, or associate with cliquish groups where our lusts or desires, or shortcut genies, are placed in front of our daily spiritual commitment.
