1 & 2 Peter – Page 7

2 Peter 3:1-13 – The Lord is Coming

If Jesus announced he was coming to your house today -what would your first thought be? Would it be, “Oh, no! The refrigerator is empty and there is nothing to serve him?” Would it be you couldn’t remember if you’d made the bed or taken out the trash? Are we ready to invite Jesus into our messy lives? Don’t you think he already knows how we live?

Today’s reading reminds us that Jesus is coming again, just like he said. It’s not our place to question when, because “the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief.” Once we are able to stop worrying about the “when” we can begin to put all of our focus on being ready. God is being patient because he doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed and wants everyone to repent.

Continue reading “2 Peter 3:1-13 – The Lord is Coming”

2 Peter 2:1-21 – False Teachers

Read 2 Peter 2:1-21

We are reading the whole chapter today after I spent some time looking at how I would break it into portions. While this is a very important warning for us, I couldn’t see myself focusing on false teachers for multiple days. I didn’t want you to think that this was not important, because it is! There are many false teachers and sometimes it’s hard to recognize them. Continue reading “2 Peter 2:1-21 – False Teachers”

2 Peter 1:12-21 – What Does Scripture Say?

Read 2 Peter 1:12-21

We are reminded here that Peter has first-hand knowledge of Jesus. He was part of the inner circle. He experienced things and witnessed miraculous wonders the others did not. It’s probable the people for whom he wrote this had never read an account of the Transfiguration (vv 16-18), but it was a story often told to identify Jesus. He was God’s son.

The life Peter had lived following Jesus’ death and resurrection had to have been thrilling. Frightening at times because he was not “politically correct” or even religiously correct. Many early Christians were persecuted and killed for their beliefs. God used Peter up until the end, and here Peter seems to be preparing his audience for his expected death. Peter wants them to remember all he has said and not fall away. How do you make a story memorable? Continue reading “2 Peter 1:12-21 – What Does Scripture Say?”

2 Peter 1:5-11 – Remember the Promises

Read 2 Peter 1:5-11

Today’s reading is a little more “duty” focused than usual. When we remember what God has done for us, and the promises he has made, we can’t help but want to please him. Right? Most of us, anyway, most of the time, at least.

If we are brutally honest with ourselves, as we should be, we need to realize that we aren’t perfect. Sometimes we forget we are sinful beings. Sometimes we forget how much we need a Savior. Sometimes it takes passages like this to remind us how we should be living our lives in response to God’s promises and provisions. Continue reading “2 Peter 1:5-11 – Remember the Promises”

2 Peter 1:1-4 – Greetings

Read 2 Peter 1:1-4

I am no Bible scholar. This devotional is meant for reflections only and to get you thinking about your relationship with God. I was however, taken by all of the discussion I read about the authorship of 2 Peter. If not Peter, then it was an individual who was an educated Greek speaker from a Jewish background. I am not going to get caught up in the “who” but only in the “what.” Let’s see what we can unpack today.

This letter opens with a standard greeting and time of thanksgiving. Is there anything in the opening that strikes you? I suppose for me it was the idea that my faith was given to me. I suppose when you think about it, where else would faith come from? It didn’t just appear, and apparently faith isn’t something we create in ourselves. Faith is precious and we should treat it that way. Continue reading “2 Peter 1:1-4 – Greetings”