As you and I have been studying 1 and 2 Peter, the Apostle Peter is wanting us to stay focused and not to forget why we believe God. There is so much more to faith than just believing. God calls you and I into a relationship where there’s action from both parties taking place. You might be serving someone in love by word or deed as God is softening and molding their hearts towards Him, or you might be sitting quiet as you pour your heart out to God in prayer, and He listens intently. While listening, God is working on those very things that your heart is seeking or needing.
God’s love is an active love.
Go ahead and read 2 Peter 3, the final chapter of this book. From verses 1 and 2, you see why Peter wrote this letter. He wants to “stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory” on what the holy prophets of long ago said as well as what Jesus, your Lord and Savior, commanded through them.
What is the most important thing that Peter wants to remind you of, see verses 3 and 4?
You and I are in the last days. We have been since Jesus resurrected from the dead. Can you relate to what the scoffers say in verse 4? It has been over 2,000 years. It is easy to think that God forgot and is slow in His timing, He really doesn’t exist, or you can relax and live the way you want for He’s not coming back anytime soon. This mentality is evident in the world today.
What do people deliberately forget in verses 5-7? What is the reason that you need to be living for Christ moment-by-moment, abiding in the Holy Spirit, as well as keeping yourself awake to the Scriptures, see verse 7?
A day of judgment is coming. It is also known as a day of reckoning. The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives a good definition: “A time when the consequences of a course of mistakes or misdeeds are felt.” God is returning to finish what He started. Satan will get what is coming to him for disobeying God and deceiving man. Anyone found ungodly will also be destroyed along with him. Why is it easy to assume and take for granted that you have time to relax, take a breather from your faith, see verse 8?
How does God’s patience display His unconditional love in verse 9?
God wants everyone to repent.9
How will the day of judgment come upon the earth, see verse 10? What will happen on that day?
Peter lets you know, “Since everything around you is going to be destroyed.”11 What kind of life should you be living, see verse 11? What are you to be looking forward to in verses 12 and 13?
God will give His children new heavens and a new earth. It will be filled with God’s righteousness.13
You and I need to realize that there is grave danger in not taking the time and effort to grow in maturity of faith. Peter tells us in verse 14 that while we are waiting for the day of judgment to arrive, we are to “make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight.”14
It is good to also remember that the Lord is patient. He is giving everyone time to repent. God wants no one to perish, review verse 9 as well as Matthew 18:12-14. Today is the day of your salvation my friend. Say yes to Jesus Christ and allow Him to set you free from sin!
Maybe you have your salvation but you have lost the flavor for it. Over time, life has beaten you down or imperfect Christians have caused you to doubt God and His Word. Maybe you have turned your back and found some new loves, like a lucrative career or a hobby or a special someone. You don’t need God as much. Today is the day to come back. You don’t want to tread lightly upon Christ’s sacrifice for you.
In verses 15-16, Peter talks about his beloved brother in Christ, Paul. What do you learn about Paul? Some of the letters that he wrote for you and I to learn from are Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians. Peter gives us a warning. What is it?
Peter ends his letter with another warning in verse 17. Why do you think he is doing this?
“Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.”17 “Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”18
You must walk carefully and cautiously in this world. It is bent towards darkness and death. God is calling you out of the darkness to join Him in the light. Look up 1 Thessalonians 5:2-8 and John 8:12. How do these verses encourage you to walk in His ways as His child?
You do not know when the day of reckoning will come, or when heaven comes for just you. God gives new life everyday as well as He comes to take people off this earth. No one is guaranteed a long life. Look up and receive the greatest gift that God can give you!
Carol J German 