Diligent Living

 2 Peter 3:13-14  I hope that when you see the word 'therefore' you stop to see what it is there for! In this case, our anticipation of a new heaven and earth in which righteousness dwells should cause us to live in a way that would prove our desire to be there. That is the thought of vs.14.  It promises the return of Jesus and echoes the thought of other New Testament passages that ask, What will the Lord find us doing when He comes? The words 'without spot or blemish' are reminiscent of Peter's earlier words about Jesus,  likening him to a lamb without blemish or spot(1 Pet.1:19) and remind us of purity and being without fault.  'And at peace' is also a characteristic of God's child.  He's not at war with himself or the world around him. Hebrews 12:14 encourages us to strive for peace with everyone. Finally, to have success in the spiritual life will require diligence. One of the hardest things to do is to maintain a purity similar to that of our Savior.  Jesus likened it to a farmer putting his hand to the plow. To maintain a straight furrow required keeping the eyes on the goal. Let's look at the goal.

Pastor Paul

Some Sure Situations

 2 Peter 3:8-13  Our schools used to emphasize the 3 r's- 'reading, writing and rithmatic'. Our scripture passage today emphasizes 3 's's'- beginning with the Lord's return. It is referred to as 'slowness'. But, as we read we find he has a defined purpose.  He is patiently waiting because his desire is for all to come to repentance. Vs.15 says this patience is salvation.

To counter a prevailing thought that Jesus was not going to return, Peter reminds his readers of some sure things. 

• Christ will stealthily (like a thief) return
• The heavens (sky,etc) will pass away with a roar
• The planets, stars, moon, sun will be burned up
• The earth and works done in it will be exposed (the deeds done by men will be exposed, laid bare before God, judged.)

The challenge of the passage is found in vs.11,12. In light of what will take place, the challenge is to live in light of that knowledge.  If this is the case (which it is), how tightly do we hold onto what we have? What is our focus, our goals? While we wait for Jesus' return, are we doing anything to hasten? How would we hasten? (the answers to these questions are all found in these verses).

Have a great day, Pastor Paul

The Fossil Record

 2 Peter 3:1-7 Some of you may have taken the opportunity to wander about and search at the McAbbee fossil fields east of Cache Creek.  Fossils are intriguing, reminding us of an historic event which so many years ago destroyed all living things on the earth with the exception of those in Noah's ark.  I have a couple of well preserved fossils that I found at Ashcroft Ranch along with a piece of petrified wood found near Stump Lake.  They intrigue me. 

The heart of today's passage has a much different focus than we have been taught and teach in our push against the theory of evolution which uses the fossils to tell a story of millions of years of life improvement, while our focus has been to prove a world wide flood as the Bible teaches. There is nothing wrong with that, but with it's almost singular focus when it comes to fossils, we miss the real reason they are there in the first place. They ought to be a reminder of God's judgment. Perhaps that should be our real focus. Has Satan used the promotion of one lie to keep our eyes from focusing on the real, most important truth that we should remember?  The flood was God's judgment against the wickedness of Noah's day and today's passage uses it as a reminder that God's judgment is coming again. That is the true message we should take from the fossils. The earth and it's inhabitants will again be judged.

Pastor Paul

Lot, a Righteous Man?

 2 Peter 2:4-10 The translation I used today is the NET.  I find it useful because of the footnotes that are posted with it. It may be helpful for you as you study.

If you don't remember the details about Lot it is good to read the account found in Genesis (ch)13-19. As I read it I find it hard to believe what is subsequently written about Lot in 2 Peter 2 given the details of his life in Sodom (G.18,19).  He seems to have had very limited influence in the spiritual life of it's residents.  He seems to have been accepted as a ruler in the city so was well known (we find him seated in the gate ch.19:1). (The gate of the city was where business affairs and other important transactions took place. Ruth 4:1-2). But he had no influence in its moral/spiritual life.

As we read further in Gen.19 we find that as the angels explored the situation of Sodom it was anything but holy. In fact it was filled with wickedness. In fact Lot had fallen precariously close to being like one of them. As we read 2 P.2:8 it seems to me that Lot was unwilling to remove himself from the circumstances he was in, but God rescued him. We see the grace of God in this whole account, 1st in God's willingness to spare the cities if there were a certain number of righteous people found, and 2nd, we see it in his rescue of Lot. From any human observation Lot's life did not deserve rescue, but because he was a child of God (noted by the words 'righteous man') God delivered him.  The thought of 2 Pet.2:9 is that if God would deliver even Lot from where he had placed himself, how much more willing is God to deliver godly  men from trial. He never leaves nor forsakes those who are His own.

Pastor Paul.

Waterless Springs

 2 Peter 2:9-17  The description of false teachers mentioned by Peter is clear. As false teachers their method is going to reveal them.  Reckless words, undisciplined manner, presumed authority (vs.10).

Jude has similar words about these people (Jude 8-11).  Peter's comparison of them to 'irrational animals, creatures of instinct.....(2 P.2:12) reminds me of the various dogs we used to have. They would often enter into battles or places of danger where they shouldn't have, with no thought of the outcome. Peter says a false teacher can be recognized by their willingness to enter into spiritual territory God has not given us permission to enter(12). In fact they take pleasure in the 'spiritual power' they believe they have.

Interestingly, while they feel they have power, Peter likens them to 'waterless springs and mists driven by a storm'.  While they claim to offer hope, their 'water' really do not quench thirst, but are full of deception. Let's be careful when we hear 'enticing words of promise' and wise.  Jesus is the only one who offers the true water of life.

Pastor Paul

Beware!

 2 Peter 2  This is a long passage. We will discuss it over the week.  Hopefully you can take time to read it. The early church fathers were already concerned about false teachers creeping into the church. Vs.1 suggests that false teachers may not be easily recognized when they enter the church- they will secretly bring in their destructive teaching. 

The 1st point of their false teaching is a denial of what salvation is. They "deny the Master who bought them (1).  True salvation will call us to a new life- leaving sinfulness behind. The false teacher in this instance is encouraging sinful life choices rather than turning from sinful choices.

An example of their destructive heresies is found in the word sensuality (sensual). Found in vs.2,7,18 sensuality means 'licentiousness' which, in turn, means 'to disregard accepted rules.'  It is often associated with sexual sin as noted in v.7,18. Today, the church in general, has not had a strong voice among it's own when it comes to sexual purity. We must define what it is. Premarital sex, extramarital sex, adultery, pornography, partner exchanges are all activities that are found within the church and are biblically condemned, having no place in it.  We must be aware of false teachers and false teaching.  False teaching does not necessarily come under the guise of one man, but often has a soft entrance by the subtlety of cultural influence and biblical ignorance. God's law has not changed. It remains the same! Let's apply God's word to our lives. 

Pastor Paul

Surprise!

 January 1 a year ago came with little fanfare- the typical celebrations and revelry were there. The revelry and celebrations, I suspect, were quite subdued last night- oh...I did something different- stayed up till midnight😃.

I have been discipling a fellow over the past few months and we have spent a little time thinking through the first few verses of the Bible. A common phrase in the creation account reminds us of how complete and without deficiency God's creation was- IT WAS GOOD. The final compliment about the creation found in Genesis 1:31 is that the whole creation WAS VERY GOOD. As was revealed in his creation, God is not deficient.

As we welcome in a new year, what are we anticipating or looking forward to? You guessed it- SURPRISE! As much as we look forward to certain things, we really don't know what the future holds. Let's hold what we don't know loosely and what we do know firmly. Holding tightly to what is certain gives hope. 

Some things we know to be sure are:  God is good! Nahum 1:7 ;  God is full of mercy- Lamentations 3:22; His love is without end- Jeremiah 31:3; God is a sure foundation- Deuteronomy 32:4; He will guide-Psalm 32:8,9. Happy New Year!