June 30. 2 Peter 3
GRACE LESSONS: We have a clear summary of Peter’s letter in this passage. Let’s look at verses 17 and 18: “You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.” There it is. Be reminded often of what you already know. Be on guard so you don’t get tripped up. Be ever so careful to not be led astray and lose your way. The way to do this is to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. All glory to Him! We are to grow in grace, friends! As we end this study on Peter, just about the last words we read, and perhaps the last words he penned have to do with grace and with knowing Jesus more and more. Let’s not stop growing. Let’s continue to seek and serve and listen and grow!
OUR PASSAGE: Peter also talks about the future with his weary Christian friends in Asia Minor. He reminds them that God, when He is ready to do something, does it. In Genesis 1, we learn that creation went from chaos to completion in six days by the words that God spoke. Whoa. That’s fast. Noah’s neighbors just went on doing their thing while Noah spend decades building a boat and then BAM. The rains came and they didn’t stop until the world was flooded. In the same way, we need to be ready. We’ll be just going along, coping with whatever the current crisis is and then there HE will be!! Riding on the clouds and declaring the beginning of the new heaven and earth! Truly, let’s be ready. 2 Peter 3:14: “And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.”
My verse: 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
My response: Thank You, Lord, for Your great patience in waiting for people to respond to You! Thank You that each soul is that important that You would wait, despite the suffering in this world, just to bring them to repentance. Oh Lord Jesus! You know when the last one will believe. I trust Your timing. Even so, Come Lord Jesus, Come!
Last words: Well dear ones. I don’t know about you, but I am glad we read about Peter in small chunks. There was So Much in these two letters he wrote. I am glad we had his background in mind as we read them. I am glad we took small bites each day, adding to our knowledge of Jesus and of His grace. I’m thankful so many of you stuck with me on this journey. It was a JOY learning with you. Keep studying, friends. Find a book of the Bible or a Bible character and keep going with the 4 R Method, seeking His wisdom at every turn. Until next time … May God bless you BIG with His grace and peace! Love, Sharon
PS – I’d love to hear from you. Did you enjoy the study? What did God teach you through it? Any suggestions on how to make the experience easier or more fruitful? Write me, wouldja? sharon@sweetselah.org. Thanks.
