Topic: What kind of person should you be? (Second Peter 3:11-12)
We find ourselves in an intense time in our history. The attempted assassination of President Trump testifies to that fact. The Republican Convention has concluded. The Democrat Convention is coming up in August. The months before and after a national election are typically charged with emotion. That was the case four years ago and is likely to be so in the days ahead. Everybody knows there is a lot at stake. The two parties could not be more different in their agendas for the future.
The church is also experiencing turbulent times with all the scandals going on. Megachurch pastors who were once revered are being removed from their leadership positions. These scandals are leaving many Christians confused and disappointed. At the same time, all kinds of prophecies concerning the future are being published on the internet. It seems to be anything but business as usual.
Our times are no different than when Peter was writing his second letter. Second Peter chapter three is an encouragement to remain vigilant and steadfast in faith, no matter what doubts or scoffing may come from the world. The promise of Christ's return and the new creation instills a hope that should inspire all believers to strive for holiness and spiritual growth. Regardless of the world's mockery or doubt, the certainty of God's promise remains unshaken. This chapter reminds us that God's seeming delay is a manifestation of His patience and mercy, desiring that all should come to repentance.
Key verses from II Peter chapter three:
3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
3:18, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
Certainly, we are nearer to our Lord’s return than the first-century Christians to whom Peter was writing to. Through television and other means of mass communications, mature Christians are aware that many parading as true Christian leaders, and that immature Christians have been “taken in” by their false interpretation of Scriptures. It is to be a warning to all born-again Christians to be so grounded in the Word that we will be able to discern truth from error.
The same prescription for growth in faith that Peter gave (2 Peter 1:5-11), when applied to our lives, will assure us also a rich reward “into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11). The foundation for our faith is and always will be the same Word of God that Peter preached.
So, what kind of person should you be? A person grounded in the Word and walking with the hope of the return of Christ.
See you Sunday,
Dr. Scott Kallem