2 Peter 3:1-18
Thursday, 26 August 2021
“Beloved, this is now the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of a reminder…” 2 Peter 3:1
Apostle Peter writes this epistle to encourage the church so that they stay firm in their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and not be swayed by the false teachings that were going around. In the first verse, he commends them of a “sincere mind”—one which is not flawed by evil. The English word ’sincere’ is from the Latin words sine cera, ‘without wax.’ Pottery sellers used wax to cover cracks or weak spots, which could only be visible if held up to the sun. So vases were ‘sun-judged.’ God wants His people to have “sun-judged” minds, not those which their sin spots have been “waxed.”
Peter addressed the believers as "beloved" in our reading, and in each instance he gave them a challenge. He told them to remember (2 Peter 3:1-2), to be informed (2 Peter 3:8), to be diligent (2 Peter 3:14), and to beware (2 Peter 3:17)
To remember (Vs.1-2): “the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.” The believers were to remind themselves of the prophetic writings revealed to them in Christ and what the Lord spoke which were brought to them by the apostles. This would keep them from false teachings.
To be informed (V.8): “that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day” Peter speaks this in context of Christ’s second coming of which some scoffers where saying it wouldn’t happen. He says God is not bound by time as people are—He is giving ample time and opportunity for people to be saved from the day of judgment which will surely fall on the wicked. Peter writes: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up”(2 Peter 3:10)
To be diligent (V.14): “be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace.” Since the earth and everything in it will be burnt up, we ought to be looking for a new heaven and earth where righteousness dwells (V.13). That expectation of His coming should spur us on to be at peace with God (Romans 5:1) and not covered by any spot or stain of sin so as to stand before the Lord. 2 Cor.4:18 says: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Therefore be diligent to live worthy of the Lord.
To beware (V.17): “beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;” Error from the ungodly can arise from their ignorance, their lack of strong foundations, unstable in the truths of God’s Word and perverting it to their advantage. Peter says, of such people, beware! They can make you fall from your steadfastness and lead you astray. The Christian has to guard himself through prayer, diligence and study of God’s Word.
As we meditate on this word today, we understand that the Day of Christ’s coming is nearer than when Apostle Peter wrote it. How diligent have we been in conducting our lives, looking for His coming? The Lord’s delay and patience in coming, is giving people more time to be saved (V.15). Heed to 2 Corinthians 6: 2 [NLT]: “Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” Where do you stand today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I understand Your coming is soon and sure; help me to be found blameless in You, redeemed and cleansed by Your blood that I may dwell with You eternally. Amen.