2 Peter 3:1-18 "The Day of the Lord, Part 3"

Read 2 Peter 3:1-18. 

"... make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him." NIV

Earlier in verse 11-12 Peter says to live "holy and godly lives...." Holiness is being "spotless, blameless and at peace with him." It is "being on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men." Holiness is growing "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord...." But how do we do that?

So many try to accomplish holiness by striving for it. They work at banishing all forms of evil from their lives. They shun association with sinners so they will not rub off on them. They put on holy habits. Now some of this may be needed to be done, but holiness is more "being" than "doing." It's being surrendered to the Father's ways rather than my own. It's being less selfish to my own desires that cause temporary comfort and looking to be the person God designed me to be. Holiness is allowing, consciously allowing, the Holy Spirit to work through us. The "doing" part is obedience to that calling - whatever it may be. That's how we choose the right. That's how we guard our hearts from evil. And that's how we grove in grace and knowledge. Surrender. Letting go. Giving up. 

Further Thoughts:

1. You may be resisting the idea of surrender. You want your own way in all things -- control. How's that working for you? Maybe if you try surrender, you will actually find the freedom and joy you've been seeking.
   
2. Compare and contrast "holiness" and "surrender." Support with Scripture.
   
3. Truly think this through. You may disagree with me. Is holiness "doing" or "being?"

2 Peter 3:1-13 "The Day of the Lord, Part 2"

Read 2 Peter 3:1-13.

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief." NIV

Peter has been explaining why Christ's second coming seems to be slow. Then he comes out with "But." When that day arrives, at a time no man knows, it will happen "in the twinkling of an eye." Think about that. Even if you are a person who hates surprises, you will love this one. We will just be going about our daily busyness of job, picking kids up at school, making dinner...(see yesterday's post ;-) and then we will be gone. All that will be left is a pile of clothes on the floor. (For you neatnix, someone will pick up the clothes later.) It could happen at any time, any where, when you are with any one. Isn't that absolutely amazing?

I think we forget most of the time that this is coming. Nostradamus and the other prognosticators may think they know when, but they don't. Only the Trinity has that one on the calendar. But we can't be caught unaware. We should remember that he is coming and be ready. There isn't going to be a second chance moment. Yes, after the tribulation, Christ will come again for judgement and if you have received Him during that time, you are redeemed. But I don't want to miss the Great Disappearance. (Plus the thought of going through all the seven woes and seven bowls stuff is terrifying.) I always love being in on the beginning of something and watching it unfold to completion, so I want to fly with Him on the clouds. But I have to keep reminding myself it's coming. Be on my toes and ready. There are certain times I just hope He doesn't come. No, not because He might catch me in a sin. Not that I don't ever sin, but I certainly don't plan on it. I was thinking more on the lines of being caught in the bathroom or while brushing my teeth. ("Wait, I need to spit!")

The point is to not forget that there is an end in sight. Maybe not in our sight, but in His. And He's chosen the perfect time. Are you ready? Have you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior? He's waiting for you. He could come tomorrow, fifty years from now, a hundred years. Or it could be ... NOW!

Further Thoughts:

1. I'm not sure I will ever have the gumption to attack Revelation on this blog. We'll see. But in the meantime, go to Revelation and read about what is to happen at the end of days. Find passages in the gospels, as well, where Jesus talks about His second coming. (To begin with, see Matthew 24:36-44.)
   
2. Do you ever think about the urgency of evangelism based on the fact that Christ could come any day? Is there someone you've held off telling about Jesus? Don't leave that opportunity behind. 
   
3. I was reading recently (or maybe it was in my blog. Can't remember.) about if God speaks, we need to act immediately. There's no waiting around and seeing if He says it again like our kids sometimes do when we tell them to do something. We need to act on His command. I know I've suffered some costly consequences for not being immediately obedient. Is the Lord telling you to do something? Time may be short. Do it.
   
4. Do you live your life ready for Christ to return? We'll talk more on Monday about how to be ready.
   

2 Peter 3:1-9 "The Day of the Lord, Part 1"

Read 2 Peter 3:1-9.

"He is patient with you,...." NIV

So often it seems that we go day in and day out, continuing in the same things, the same way. Disasters happen, wars continue, people are born and people die. The stock market rises and falls, the politicians make promises. You go to work, pick up your kids from school, make supper, go to bed and then do it all over again tomorrow. (I sound like a real cynic, but I'm not. There's a point to this.) Life can seem like we are going in a circle that will never end, so why doesn't the Lord just come now and end the drudgery?

I remember when my Mom slipped into a coma three days before she passed away. I wondered, "What now? Lord, just take her. She's already gone from this world." But we were still waiting on my brother to arrive. There was still grieving to do. Still goodbyes to be said. There were still reasons for her to be there -- maybe ones we will never know -- but her days were not finished.

In the same way, God is not finished with this world. There are still people to reach for His kingdom. The one who spoke this world into existence has a reason for it to continue, so we must make the most of the time that is left. Yes, we still go to work and do all the other things that make up our day, but we can touch people's lives while we are doing it. We can love with the love of God -- His Spirit flowing through us if we only allow Him. So many are hurting and we are the only ones who know the Truth of hope. In the meantime, we trust the timing of the One who knows no time. His ways are higher than our ways. 

Further Thoughts: 

1. Research other passages on "time" and "God's patience."
   
2. Do you feel purposeless while you wait for God's return? Are you loving people? Do you have a ministry? Our joy comes through serving the Lord. How are you serving?
   
3. Watch this video by Brandon Heath, "Give Me Your Eyes." 

2 Peter 2:1-22 "If...."

Read 2 Peter 2:1-22.

"... the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment...."

Peter is warning the scattered believers about the false teachers that will be among them. He even promises them through his "if" passage that God will faithfully punish all those who are claiming to follow Christ, but clearly spitting in His face by their actions.

We see the same thing happening today. Sometimes it is as blatant as Peter portrays - "never stop sinning, seduce the unstable, greedy, love the wages of wickedness...." We have all known someone claiming to be a believer and then caught in a secret sin that becomes for most their downfall. At that point, they make a decision to repent and turn completely away from their sin, or they decide that this is the life they have chosen and will continue in it.

But I think the greater dangers in this society are the ones who draw believers away through subtler means. They call themselves believers; they seem to be living a life following God, but there are little differences. They will twist truth; make compromises; or simply be two-faced -- one person on Sunday and another throughout the week. These are the "believers" that destroy the name of Christianity and make it so much harder to reach out to those who don't yet believe. By living with their feet in both worlds - a sinner's world and a believer's world -- they destroy the integrity of Christianity. We'd already had a great deal of damage done through being called a Christian nation. We are not a Christian nation. We may have started out that way, but capitalism, greed, and complacency has moved us away from the truth of that title. I've seen hypocrisy so much around me that I rarely say I'm a Christian. I call myself a believer in Jesus Christ. 

Now we will always have believers in different stages of their growth in their walk with Jesus. So you will see sin in some people's life because they have not learned to surrender that area to Jesus yet. That is very different from what this passage is talking about. These are people as it speaks about in verse 20 that have walked away from the world, followed Christ, and then turned around and chose the ways of the world again. It makes me very sad and honestly, I can't understand why anyone would walk away from the Lord. Makes me wonder if they ever really looked to see who Jesus is. Did they take the time to really get to know the Father? Did they surrender their heart and desires to His will? I guess that is between them and God. But once I made a complete commitment to God, there was no going back -- ever. 

Further Thoughts:

1. Look at other passages on false teachers/hypocrites.
   
2. Compare and contrast this passage with the Matthew 23-24 passages regarding the Pharisees.
   
3. Are there false teachers you know around you? How can we know if they are false? Find passages that tell us how to recognize the false teachers. What are we supposed to do with them?
   

2 Peter 1:12-21 "A Reminder"

Read 2 Peter 1:12-21.

"So I will always remind you of these things even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have." NIV

I was recently talking with a friend about how little believers study their Bible's. Then I was reading about research done by a large mid-western church and they confirmed in their studies that the percentages are not very high. Why is that? Time. Difficult language and cultural references? Do not see the relevancy? Act of duty instead of an act of love?

Many factors could influence why believers are not studying the Word, but the fact remains that no matter what stage in our Christian walk we are, we will never know enough of the Word and the things the Father wants us to learn. We need to be constantly reminded of the Truths that will prepare us to face difficulties and victories, guide us in our relationships, help us to resist temptation, and so on. And it will never end. In fact, the more I study the Word, the less I feel I really know about my God. In the depths of His Word He becomes vaster and vaster (Yes, I made a new word. Did you understand my meaning? Then it works. :) 

I can't just be reading about the prophesies or looking through the life of Jesus and walk away and say, "Well, that's that. I've read it." We must constantly come back to it again and again to learn new Truths that the Holy Spirit wants to reveal. Maybe we are going through something that the Word can address. More often than not the Lord reveals Scripture to me that prepares me for something that is about to happen. Then when I go through that whatever event, I know immediately what He was trying to teach me and I am prepared to scripturally face anything. I may have read that passage before, but by studying it again, the Word became active in my life right now where I am at.

The Word of God never becomes stale. It is alive and active -- changing, directing, molding us into the people God has called us to be. "... and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place." Thank You, Father, for Your Word. May I never become dulled to its meanings or complacent with the study of it. I cherish what you have to say to me.

Further Thoughts:

1. Is the Word difficult for you to get into? Here's some possible reasons why: 1)You have received Jesus as your Savior, but have not completely surrendered to Jesus as the Lord of your life so His words do not carry a relevancy to your life. Full surrender is the beginning of a desire to know Him more. 2) You need an easier translation to read.  3) You need study helps.  4) You don't allow time to reflect on what you have read and make application to your life. 5) You need an accountability partner to help you develop good habits of study and reflection on the Word.     These are just some possibilities. But you can ask the Lord to reveal to you your particular reason.
   

2 Peter 1:1-11 "Adding to Faith, Part 2"

Read 2 Peter 1-11.

"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure...." NIV

For Part 1, read here.

"to perseverance, godliness:" So often people see godliness as something to strive for. If I do enough good things, I will be like God. If I read my Bible more, if I pray more, I will be godlier. While all these things are good and need to happen, godliness comes from being, not doing. It's being surrendered to Him. Being unselfish. Being a child of the King. Being open to whatever He has for my life. Being faith-filled. I can strive and strive and never make myself like God. But if I surrender to His Spirit within me and follow His lead -- knowing His character -- I can at least become a dull reflection of His beauty and love.

"to godliness, brotherly kindness:" Brotherly kindness is loving the believers around us. They are our family -- forever. It doesn't matter what denomination or what town they live in, we have a bond between us that must be nurtured. There is no room for envy or competition, bickering or hatred. We should all be working toward the same goal and doing it with kindness and love between us. When a brother hurts, we hurt with them. When they rejoice, we throw the party. When they are in need, we do all we can to meet their need. When they struggle, we afford them grace and help guide them back to the Truth. We can't run this race alone. We need each other to finish well.

"to brotherly kindness, love." The Lord has been impressing on me more and more to love others better. How do we love? Seeing others with the eyes of the Father. All people are His creation and He loves His children dearly. He desires that none should be lost but come to a saving knowledge of Him. If we can just look at others -- really look at them -- with grace-filled, loving eyes, we will see people who are hurting, confused, blinded who need to know Jesus. And since I may be the only "Jesus" they ever see, I need to love them fully. This takes a lot of selflessness. It's setting aside biases and judgements through which I may be tempted to filter my love. Loving with abandon in whatever way others need it to be. Whether they need help financially, help with children, moral support, friendship, or even just a kind word and smile, I need to be ready to give. My Lord is the author and embodiment of pure love and His Spirit can love through me if I am willing to be used. Lord, open my eyes to the need. I am willing. 

Further Thoughts:

1. What of today's attributes do I need to work on more? Is God putting me in situations where I can exercise more godliness, brotherly kindness, or love? How will I do that?
   
2. Find Old Testament people who did each of these really well. What distinguished them in this attribute?
   
3. How did Jesus embody all of these attributes. Do a study and list an example for each of these seven virtues.
   
4. How are all these virtues related to our faith? (see vs. 5)
   

2 Peter 1:1-11 "Adding to Faith, Part 1"

Read 2 Peter 1:1-11.

"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." NIV

Peter, towards the end of his life, continues addressing the scattered congregation of believers. While Peter's first letter encouraged the believers to remain strong through persecution, his second letter focuses on dealing with false teachers and evildoers within the church. Both letters call believers to a deeper and truer walk with the Lord.

Whether we face outside opposition or internal invasion, the strength of the whole comes down to the devotion of the parts. Each believer is called to faith and action and when each one does so in increasing measure, the power of the body increases. 

To grow as a believer Peter tells us how to "participate in the divine nature" in verse 5. "Make every effort to add to your faith..."

"goodness:" If we are turning from the evil that was prevalent in our life before Christ and that is still dominating the world today, we will go toward the opposite action to that of goodness. Goodness requires a self-sacrifice that evil does not encourage. It looks out for others before self and desires the greater good over self-satisfaction.

"to goodness, knowledge:" Here is the part about studying His Word. When we focus on His Words, we can learn more about Him, His nature, how He works. When we know more about who God is, we know more about His nature that lives within us and about what is expected of us. The other amazing part about being in His Word is the way His Spirit uses the Word to speak directly into our lives. The Logos becomes our Rema. What an amazing and supernatural form of communication. The trick is.... we have to answer the call.

"to knowledge, self-control:" The temptation to be pulled back into the ways of the world is tremendous. Most of the time, we won't even realize what is happening. It may begin small -- some selfish act or attitude that we allow to creep into our thinking. Then as we nurture that selfishness, it grows and grows eventually taking over our entire worldview and God-view. We filter all of life not through the eyes of the Father, but through how life will affect us. Everything we do runs through that self-absorbed filter and brings us back to an indulgent attitude on life. But we must keep our self-control -- not succumb to the temptations that attempt to pull us back to the life we used to live -- and remain on our guard at all times. You'd think resisting would get easier with time, but remember we are dealing with a cunning enemy. If we are onto him in one area, he'll just change his tactics and attack in another unexpected arena. He never stops trying, so our eyes must always be focused on the Truth to recognize the lies when they come our way.

"to self-control, perseverance:" No one ever said the Christian walk is easy. It is a constant battle to be in a minority and opposing everything around you at all times, and stay true to your calling. This is where the rubber meets the road. Are you going to "stand firm, steadfast" as Peter admonishes in 1 Peter 5:12 or will you waver and slip back into your old ways? Jesus never promised an easy life of luxury and comfort. In fact, He promised just the opposite. He said that we will have trials of every kind. But if we can keep our focus on the true prize; if we can keep our eyes on Jesus and His ways, we can make it through. Our time here -- in good times and in difficult ones -- is very short. We are just a scratch on the rope of eternity. But our lives in paradise are forever and forever. I can take a little trouble here to receive eternity with the Father.

Part 2 on Monday.

Further Thoughts:

1. Which one, if any, of these areas listed so far are the most difficult for you? Why? What do you need to change in your thinking, actions, or attitudes to be in line Scripturally with what God chooses for you to increase your faith?
   
2. Find an Old Testament person that maintained each of these attributes well. What was different about them? How did they keep their focus?