2 Peter 3:1-10

COMMENTS

I don’t know about you; but I accept warnings, suggestions, and correction much better when they come from someone who loves and accepts me.  The same words that I hear from a friend and then apply to my life sometimes provoke anger and resentment when they come from someone who frequently criticizes me.  In these matters, relationship is vitally important.  I believe our blustery friend Peter has learned a few things as he has matured in Christ ;-).

NOTES

If love and acceptance are prerequisites to effective communication, Peter certainly applies them in this letter.  He shows his acceptance of his readers by telling them that he knows their faith is real (2 Peter 1:1).  Then, he starts this section of the letter (Chapter 3) with a reminder of his love for them by acknowledging their relationship—“dear friends”.  (He actually uses this term four times in Chapter 3.)  These people are his friends.  He cares for them deeply, and he wants the best for them.  They are special to him, and he wants them to know it!  He has been vocal and critical of those who have been trying to lead the people astray, but he has done this because he cares.  He wants their thoughts to be “wholesome” (V. 1).  He wants them to remember all that the Lord has spoken to them through the holy prophets of the past and through Peter and the other apostles (V. 2).  God has not left them on their own.  He has sent messengers to guide them into His truth.

Why is it so important for them to remember these things?  And what does remembering the words of the prophets and apostles have to do with the scoffers (false teachers) in the next few verses?  Just this:  God made us, and He knows that we’re impatient.  When we get impatient, we get discouraged.  When we’re discouraged, we’re susceptible and more easily led astray. 

That’s what the false prophets were trying to do—lead the people astray.  “Didn’t God say He was coming back?  Where is He?  Nothing has changed!  Everything is the same as it’s always been!” (V. 4).  The impatient, wavering mind hears that and starts to question.  But throughout history, God has spoken love and hope to His people through His messengers.  By remembering that, the deceptive words of those evil men cannot gain any traction because God’s words build faith and hope.

God’s Word.  Powerful.  Reliable.  True.  In Verses 5-7 Peter reminds them and us that by the word of His mouth, God created the heavens and formed the earth.  By the word of His mouth, He destroyed the earth in a flood.  And by the word of His mouth, He will destroy the present heavens and earth and ungodly men.

We’re arrogant people and, even though we’re so inferior to the One True God, we judge Him by our own standards.  How foolish!  We think God should operate on our time schedule; but if we compare the time we’ve waited to the “forever” of an Eternal God, it has only been a few days (V. 8)!  Peter tells us to “remember”—we’re on God’s time, not human time.

But really, why doesn’t He just hurry up and come?  Things are just getting worse.  Humanity is more self-centered and evil all the time.  Society seems to be falling apart.  Dissension has replaced unity….  All that may be true, but Peter reminds us of one very important thing—the moment Jesus returns, everyone who has not accepted His sacrifice will be doomed to Hell.  So He waits, “not wanting anyone to perish” (V. 9).

As if to put an exclamation point on what he has just said, Peter ends this section of Chapter 3 with a declaration:

“But the day of the Lord WILL  come like a thief.  The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”  (2 Peter 3:10, emphasis mine)

It WILL happen.  Count on it.  Remember—and let His Word fill you with the confidence and hope it was meant to bring.  With that as your foundation, you cannot be led astray.

Hope In An Evil World

COMMENTS

This world is evil.  Things happen that shouldn’t happen.  Wickedness, dysfunction, and unkindness seem to be rampant.  It weighs on my heart, a burden that is too heavy to bear.  I know—evil is always here; but sometimes, it hits in an unexpected manner or from many different directions and reminds me once again:  This world is evil.

NOTES

Then, God speaks to me—again, the Always-Faithful One—and He reminds me that He has provided for me, even in this circumstance:

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.  Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”  (2 Peter 1:3-4)

This is such a rich passage—complicated yet simple.  God, in His power, glory, and goodness, provided a way for me to ESCAPE the corruption in the world. 

Escape.  The word implies captivity.  Evil desires imprison us.  Sometimes, we’re the one doing the hurting.  Sometimes, we’re the one who’s hurt—either directly or because someone we care about has been hurt.  It’s an easy thing for us to focus on the hurt we feel.  Unfortunately, it’s just as easy for us to excuse the hurt we cause.  Either way, the consequences of those evil desires play havoc with our lives and with our world.

Yet, God doesn’t leave us in that helpless and hopeless state.  Rather than dwelling on the sentiments expressed in the previous paragraph, I go back to the one before that.  GOD, IN HIS POWER, GLORY, AND GOODNESS, PROVIDED A WAY FOR ME TO ESCAPE THE CORRUPTION IN THE WORLD!  As I know Him more and more, as I respond to His call, and as I receive and witness the fulfillment of His promises, I "participate in [His} divine nature and escape the corruption in the world”.  My own evil desires are replaced with the desire to be like Him, and the pain I experience as a result of the evil desires of others is covered with His healing oil. 

I wish I could tell you that I only have to do that once, but that would be a lie.  Just as a physical injury takes time to heal, these spiritual and emotional injuries usually take time.  Just as I repeatedly bandage a physical injury until it heals, I must repeatedly apply the 2 Peter 1:3-4 bandage to these wounds. 

We can hold on to the hope of His eternal kingdom, a kingdom of love and peace.  But while we’re still on this earth, He doesn’t leave us in despair.  As Daniel in the lion’s den, we can have hope and peace, even as Satan roars around us.  All this happens as we look past the circumstances and focus on HIM.

When I do that, the burden eases; and I am at peace.

Enlightened Hope

COMMENTS

How’s everything going in your life right now?  Is it “smooth sailing”?  I know some folks who are in “rough seas”.  Close relationships are strained; and as a result, the skies are dark and the waters stormy.  I’ve prayed a lot for them—and like everyone in my shoes, I wish I could do something tangible to help.

NOTES

Then, God speaks.  He gives direction to my prayers and tells me to speak hope into those lives.  Hope—that sometimes elusive element that completely changes one’s perspective.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people.”  --Ephesians 1:18

When we’re in a dark place in our lives, there can be no better prayer than the one that pleads for enlightenment.  Satan inhabits the darkness, but darkness cannot exist in the presence of the Holy One, for He IS light!  And what does that Light reveal?  According to this verse, it reveals hope!  Whatever the darkness, His child is not stuck there because God’s light brings hope—hope for reconciliation, hope for healing, hope for an answer to the problem, hope, hope, hope!

The words following Paul’s statement about hope are very interesting.  The way I read it (once again, I remind you that I’m no theologian), hope is a golden nugget; it is a “glorious inheritance” to us, His holy people.  It is, indeed, a glorious thing to be able to have hope in the midst of a dark world or dark circumstances.  With hope, we are not left to drown in the stormy seas, for our Lord throws us a life raft.  All we have to do is trust Him and climb aboard.  He will take us to that quiet place where joy and peace and hope prevail.

As we experience the hope our Lord gives, we feel encouraged; and we are strengthened:

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  --Isaiah 40:31

Finally, even though hope makes us feel better, there is an even higher purpose—God’s glory revealed to those around us:

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  --1 Peter 3:15

This verse assumes two things:  that you HAVE hope and that it SHOWS in your life and conversation.

Hope—a gift from God, an inheritance for His people, a source of encouragement and strength, and a beacon to those lost in a dark world!

Silence

COMMENTS

The Lord has been silent over the last several days.  Well, either He’s been silent or I haven’t been hearing Him.  I’ve experienced this before.  To be honest, I don’t like it.  I long to hear His voice again, to be awed and inspired by something new and fresh, to share it with you.  Maybe that’s the purpose behind the silence—to make me hungry for Him.

NOTES

This morning, I was drawn to Psalm 25:4-5.  Actually, it’s pretty funny the way it happened ;-).  I was praying and reading my Bible, and I looked around the room.  As I looked, I decided I didn’t like the way the wall hangings were arranged.  (Have I mentioned that I’m sometimes easily distracted?)  Suddenly, I remembered that my good friend had given me a new one for my birthday and that I hadn’t yet hung it.  So, I retrieved it.  (Remember, I’m supposed to be having my quiet time!)  Guess what verse was on the plaque she’d given me?  Psalm 25:4-5!  God can even speak to the wandering mind of His restless servant ;-).

Anyway, back to Psalm 25:4-5.  I don’t really have any exciting new thoughts about these verses, but I just find the words very encouraging.  I want to share that encouragement with you.

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5)

I had just been praying that I would honor the Lord in everything I do today and found the same desire in this psalm that David wrote thousands of years ago. 

Lord, I long to do what You want me to do.  I long to be who You want me to be.  As David said, “Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”

You are my guide, Lord.  You are my teacher.  YOU are my hope.

Death and Life

COMMENTS

The last six weeks have been very busy, but the Lord has also blessed me with moments of rest—which I badly needed!  For those of you who read my last blog, here’s a quick update.  My son’s wedding was beautiful and disaster-free ;-).  They’re a happy little family now, and we are very blessed.  My grandson came home from the hospital on the day of the wedding.  He was still in pain and too weak to attend the wedding, which saddened us all; but we were able to rejoice in the fact that he was home.  His recovery has been very slow, but he no longer has to have the IV antibiotics three times a day—a pill is so much easier to take!  Last week, his summer finally began; and CJ was thrilled to FINALLY be able to spend his days at the pool ;-).  God has blessed us beyond measure!

NOTES

Yesterday was a difficult day for two of my good friends.  Each experienced the death of a family member.  As I thought about each situation, I was struck by the contrasts.  One was an elderly lady, whose children are grown and on their own.  One was a young man with three kids still at home.  One experienced death after a lingering illness, near death numerous times only to rally again and again.  One was an accident, apparently in good health then suddenly seriously injured, lingering only hours before leaving this world.

There were, however, many similarities, too.  Both had their families around them as they died.  Both were strong believers.  As I thought about that last point, I was overjoyed that it was a similarity and not a contrast!

The greatest similarity, of course, is that they are both gone.  They have left their mortal bodies behind and, praise God, they are both rejoicing with their Perfect Savior in His Perfect Heaven!  Even as their families and friends grieve, God offers a source of joy and hope.  For their loved ones who have passed, there is no more pain, suffering, trouble, or sadness.  Now, they experience only joy and peace and love!  I venture to say that they wouldn’t return, even if they could.

I lost my own mother last year, and I can truthfully say that knowing the joy she is experiencing has protected me from the despair that I have witnessed in others; and it has sustained me with joy, peace, and, yes, relief that she no longer suffers. I pray the comfort and peace I experienced will fill the hearts, minds, and souls of these grieving families.

Our God is an ever-present God.  Even in the midst of difficulty, He is there, offering peace, comfort, and HOPE.  His Word is ever true:

“Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about those Christians who have died so you will not be sad, as others who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and that He rose again.  So, because of Him, God will raise with Jesus those who have died.”  (1Thessalonians 4:13-14, New Century Version)

Just before my mother passed, the Lord brought to my mind the song Bless the Lord by Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman.  I’ll leave you with the final verse:

And on that day when my strength is failing,

                               The end draws near and my time has come,

                               Still my soul will sing your praise unending

                               Ten thousand years and then forevermore.

                               Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul,

                               Worship his holy name.

                               Sing like never before, O my soul.

                               I’ll worship your holy name.

They’re singing!

James 4:17

COMMENTS

My practical side tries to “divide and conquer” whatever book I’m studying.  You know:  break it into small chunks that are approximately the same size.  (I guess my OCD is showing!)  Today, God said, “Nope!  One verse today….”  One verse, and it’s a powerful one.

NOTES

Are you curious?  Here’s our one-verse subject:

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”  (James 4:17)

Wow.  That sentence, the last one of Chapter 4, immediately preceding the final chapter of the book, is easily overlooked.  Actually, I passed it over in my last blog.  God, however, took me back there today, even as I was trying to press forward to Chapter 5.

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”

It’s worth repeating.  If I know “good” that should be done but don’t do it, I’m sinning.

So, what is the “good” that James is talking about?  He’s just spent four chapters telling me some of it.  Other teachers (Peter, John, Paul, and many others) have also given me God’s instructions.  And sometimes, God speaks directly to me about my specific circumstances; like when he calls me to a specific ministry or calls me out of one.  If I know what I’m supposed to do but don’t do it, I sin.

Here are some of the specific “goods” that James has pointed out:

*Be joyful in trials.

*Persevere with a goal of becoming mature and complete.

*Believe and don’t doubt.

*Be aware of who I am in Christ.

*Don’t blame God or accuse Him of tempting me.

*Recognize my human weaknesses.  Don’t give Satan a chance to use them.

*Listen.  Think before I speak.  Be slow to anger.

*Listen to God.  Then OBEY! 

*Obey out of LOVE, not obligation.

*Don’t show favoritism.  Treat everyone the same.

*Put my faith into action.  Let my preaching be with my hands and feet as I meet the needs of others.

*Control my tongue!!!!!  Let the Lord purify and make consistent the stream of words that flows from my mouth.

*Choose “the wisdom that comes from heaven”, not earthly wisdom that’s “of the devil”.

*Be “pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”.

*Don’t be quarrelsome.

*Don’t be selfish.

*Be humble.

*Submit to the Lord.  Resist the devil.  Purify my heart.  Grieve my sin.

*Don’t boast.

All of these things are “good” things that I know.  If I don’t do them, I sin.  This list is not given to take me back to legalism but so that I recognize my sin.  But when I look at that list—an incomplete list!—“sinner” seems to be an understatement.

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.  Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”  (Psalm 51:3, 4a, 7)

Yet, my God offers me hope and challenges me to make choices that will please Him.  Even as I continue to sin, He continues to forgive me and cleanse me.  He is always faithful, always forgiving, always good, and always WORTHY!