Click Here to Read 2 Peter 3:1-18 NKJV

Peter again states here the purpose of both of his letters, to stir up a pure mindset in the believer.  The Passion Translation translates verse one from the Aramaic as “awaken your beautiful memories”.  And, once again, Peter reminds us to hold onto the prophies of the holy prophets and the teaching of Jesus that were spoken to them by the apostles.  The entirety of this letter he warns us of the hazards of falling prey to false teachers who will try to lead us away from Jesus, but also shows us that the Word of God contains absolute Truth, inspired by God’s own Spirit and given by God’s chosen people.  We can trust it and we need to know it, to embrace it, and to follow it.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV).  I love this verse.  I am so thankful for the mercy of God.  He waited a long time for me.  And He has waited a long time for some who are still walking in darkness, and He is willing to wait still for them to step into the light.  Think for a moment of the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).  When the son decided to come home his intention was to return as a servant because he thought he was no longer worthy to be called a son.  “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.  Make me like one of your hired servants.’” (Luke 15:18-19 NKJV).  But when the father saw his son, from a distance, coming home, the father ran to meet him, and told his servants to bring out his best robe and put it on his son along with a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.  These are all pictures of what the Father is ready and waiting to give us.  He wants to cover us with a robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10 NKJV).  He wants to give us a ring, an emblem of His authority, a seal of sonship (Galatians 4:6-7, Ephesians 1:13-14).  He wants to put sandals on our feet because we are sons and daughters, not slaves (John 1:12-13).  God doesn’t want to punish or condemn.  He just wants us all to come home and be His children.  And He is willing to wait for even the darkest heart to return to Him.

“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.  Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” (2 Peter 3:10-12 NKJV).  Notice that Peter says here that the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.  If we were to take stock of our lives right now as we live and really examine our priorities for living day to day, would we find that we are storing up treasures in heaven?  Or would we find that we are storing treasures here on earth?  Do we live for eternity?  Or do we live for this life on earth?  Anything we have accomplished for this world will be burned up.  But what we accomplished for the kingdom of heaven will be everlasting.

So, Peter asks us, “what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11 NKJV).  The Passion Translation says, “Since all these things are on the verge of being dismantled, don’t you see how vital it is to live a holy life?” (2 Peter 3:11 TPT).  We can’t afford to compromise here.  Let’s go one more time to the beginning of Peter’s letter.  “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue…” (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV).  God requires us to live holy lives.  But He has also fully equipped us with everything we need to accomplish holy living.  And Peter is trying to show us that it is in the knowledge of Him, not the knowledge of man, that empowers us do this.  Are we following Jesus?  Or are we following people who talk about Jesus?  Do we know God personally?  Or do we know what people say about Him?  Do we walk in the light of revelation by the Holy Spirit?  Or do we walk in the revelation of teachers and pastors and prophets?  The responsibility is ours; we choose what we seek.  Jesus told us if we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything else would be given to us (Matthew 6:33).  Paul tells us to keep our minds on things above and not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).  And in the closing of his final letter Peter urges us, “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” (2 Peter 3:14-15 NKJV).

Let’s pray.

Father, thank you for your patience and longsuffering, each one of us can testify to your mercy and grace being extended to us.  May we never take for granted what we have obtained through Jesus: we have been given the right to become children of God, we have been granted an inheritance, great and precious promises, been made partakers of a divine nature, and been rescued from the corrupt desires that are of this world.  You have invited us into a relationship with You.  You have given us Your Spirit to be our guide into all Truth.  You have empowered us to live holy and godly lives, to live for eternity, to do works for a kingdom beyond this earth.  If all of this comes from the knowledge of You, well, then we pray for more knowledge of You.  You promised that if we seek You, we will find You.  We open our hearts, our minds, our eyes, and ears to You.  We invite You into every part of our lives, to walk with us and talk with us.  We want to know You more.  Amen.