Home


 

2ndPeter in Review

Peter is addressing the issue of what God is going to do with man when his or her human flesh can no longer sustain life. It’s normal for everyone to want to know the answers to achieve a favorable ending to their life. The reality is that even the most despicable person has the desire to go to Heaven. The question is what are your hopes based upon? The problem centers on the moral fiber of the world that has been corrupted and makes the truth to guide your life more difficult to find. Because of this corruption the minds of the human race is clouded by the perception of what life is all about.

Through the inspiration of God, Peter lays out a plan with a guarantee of a rich welcome into the kingdom of God based on the condition that those who follow Christ make every effort to nurture specific godly qualities. These qualities are in regard to our relationship with other people. This plan is not based schemes that man has devised, but an inspired plan that God has given to man through his prophets. For this reason, God inspired his prophet to record his plan within the scriptures in a sensible and feasible manner so that man could apply their lives to God’s plan and accept his help.

Peter said, that we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it. However, in the next breath Peter speaks about the false prophet like those we find in the world where there are endless versions of the truth that have been distorted by a lack of direct knowledge. The falsities of human versions are based the way the world thinks and on personal opinions rather than on solid fact. There was about a thousand different belief systems in Peter’s day just as there are today, but only one God who created man. Peter makes it evident that these belief are cleverly designed by men for selfish reasons and they will suffer God’s wrath in due time. However, those who have the desire for eternal life need to make every effort to ensure that they are not deceived.

Peter goes on to warn Christians that those who spread these false religions have met swift judgment in the past and those doing the same things today can expect God’s wrath soon. The Old Testament records God’s judgment on man’s depravity and moral corruption within the examples of Sodom and Gomorrah and the flood of Noah’s day. From these examples, you and I need to seriously consider that no one escaped God’s judgment except those who were found to be righteous in God’s sight.

Who can afford to neglect the great salvation plan that God is offering? Yet people do. In following their own ways they neglect God and devise plans to save themselves from the doom God has placed in their minds. Even though men and women without God have the fear of death it is not dying that they fear, it is facing the never-ending eternal fire of hell.

However, human peer pressure and the impressions of demonic realm affect the desire to live by God’s standards. Without seeking God’s support or the strength of God’s promises, God’s children cast their hopes aside for an easier, but corrupted life. In doing so they exchange eternal life for eternal death. Thus it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness.

Peter’s goal was to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. He’s reminding you that God has a plan and does not want you to perish because today is the day of salvation. On the other hand, he is also forewarning the world that God made the earth out of water but let’s remember the swift destruction that came on the earth to those who minds sought to indulge in debauchery. Sodom,  Gomorrah and the great flood were the examples that we gain knowledge from and respect for God. Remember that God owns the cattle on the thousand hills and can do anything he wants with the environment we live in. The good news is that God’s plan is to give the righteous eternal life and place those unworthy into swift and harsh judgment.

Peter reminds us that God does not have a system of time based on the revolution of the sun. God’s timing is impeccable, but his plan is based on goals not in forcing you to comply. Putting God on hold or waiting till the last moment to be saved is dangerous business. The Day of God’s return and the Judgment of the wicked is certain, but Peter is not stressing how or when this will take place. The question Peter is addressing pertains to your life is simple when you know God’s plans. The knowledge of what God is capable of and that he will judge everyone according to his or her deeds should make you, personally consider what kind of life you should be living and will you be ready when he sits in judgment? How or when he comes will not affect the outcome of that day more than your choice to live a godly life. God will judge men according to their deeds, but know this, he plans to punish those who refuse to repent in his or her lifetime.

The point stressed is found in the words Peter concludes his letter with.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, 2 Peter 3:14-15

Again, Peter wants you to know that God does want you to perish.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Peter is revealing God’s plan of Salvation to you so you can do something positive to affect your own salvation. However, the responsibility for seeking the salvation of God is in your hands and you still have the opportunity to repent while the day of Salvation still exists.

 

 

 

Back to home


Copyright © 2010               Thinkgodly               All rights reserved