http://www.esvbible.org/2+Peter+3/
Peter says that both of His letters serve to remind us what the prophets said and what Jesus said through the apostles. Near the end, a day will come, when men will ridicule the Lord and His promises. They will say that things are the same as they've ever been and question Jesus' returning. What they forget is that it is through the Word of God and Christ the the world came to exist in the first place. We also cannot forget that time is meaningless to God. He does things in His own time and a day to Him is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. We must stay true because a day is coming when theEarth will be destroyed, and everything that was done by humans will be gone. Heaven and Earth will be destroyed. Yet God promises a new Heaven and earth on which all that God approves of will live. Because of all this, we must be sure to stand firm in our beliefs. People will come to discredit all of the Scriptures, but we must remember that they all come from God. We cannot let these types of people carry us away.
Monday, July 23, 2012
2 Peter 2
http://www.esvbible.org/2+Peter+2/
Peter warns us about false teachers. They are nothing new, not even in the time of Jesus. They have always been around, and Peter assures us that God knows how to punish them on Judgement Day while saving His people. After all, He saved Noah and Noah's family while He wiped out the sinful people with the flood, and He saved Lot and Lot's family while He destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, where the people lived their lives in sin. The false teachers are usually people who used to be in the faith but left because they decided they would rather pursue their own selfish interests. They may have even started out teaching the truth, but they changed in the hunger for fame or greed when they saw what their teachings could get them. Now, they work to exploit innocent believers and bring them into the false teachings, which they create themselves. Most of these people are new Christians and don't know any better. Peter says that it is worse to be in Christ and leave than it is to have never known the Way at all. It is true when the prophets said that a sow is cleaned and then returns to the mud. These false teachers were cleansed of their sins, but they chose to go back to how they lived in their sinful lives.
Peter warns us about false teachers. They are nothing new, not even in the time of Jesus. They have always been around, and Peter assures us that God knows how to punish them on Judgement Day while saving His people. After all, He saved Noah and Noah's family while He wiped out the sinful people with the flood, and He saved Lot and Lot's family while He destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, where the people lived their lives in sin. The false teachers are usually people who used to be in the faith but left because they decided they would rather pursue their own selfish interests. They may have even started out teaching the truth, but they changed in the hunger for fame or greed when they saw what their teachings could get them. Now, they work to exploit innocent believers and bring them into the false teachings, which they create themselves. Most of these people are new Christians and don't know any better. Peter says that it is worse to be in Christ and leave than it is to have never known the Way at all. It is true when the prophets said that a sow is cleaned and then returns to the mud. These false teachers were cleansed of their sins, but they chose to go back to how they lived in their sinful lives.
2 Peter 1
http://www.esvbible.org/2+Peter+1/
Peter begins with a greeting, affirming he wrote this letter, and it is written to all Christians.
It should be reassuring that God has already given us all the gifts we need for our entire lives and godliness. We received this through knowledge from God, who called us to faith. Through His glory, He gave us great promises, and in these promises, we share in divinity because we have escaped sinful nature. But we must always be adding and improving because there is always room to better ourselves. We must add integrity to faith, knowledge to integrity, self-control to knowledge, endurance to self-control, godliness to endurance, Christian affection to godliness, and love to Christian affection. We can always build and improve. Once we have added all of these things to our lives, and they are improving, we are productive in Christ, but if they are missing, we forget we have been forgiven. Make every effort to secure that what you are doing is God's calling for your life. By continuing to add these things and make improvements, we will never fall away and will be allowed to enter God's Kingdom. Peter says he will keep reminding these of these things until he dies, and we must too remind people of how they need to stay right with God. Finally, Peter says that God revealed to Him that His time is short, yet Peter uses this time to make sure that others are right with God. This is how we should spend our days, making sure others can join us in our salvation.
Peter assures the other Christians that the apostles aren't making up the stuff that they teach about, but they were there with Jesus and witnessed it all as it happened. They saw Jesus get baptized and heard God say that "This is my Son in whom I delight." They know as a fact that the things the prophets said are true, so he encourages Christians to heed their warnings. Indeed, nothing in Scripture is of men's interpretations or from their imaginations, but they actually come from the Holy Spirit spoken through men's mouths.
Peter begins with a greeting, affirming he wrote this letter, and it is written to all Christians.
It should be reassuring that God has already given us all the gifts we need for our entire lives and godliness. We received this through knowledge from God, who called us to faith. Through His glory, He gave us great promises, and in these promises, we share in divinity because we have escaped sinful nature. But we must always be adding and improving because there is always room to better ourselves. We must add integrity to faith, knowledge to integrity, self-control to knowledge, endurance to self-control, godliness to endurance, Christian affection to godliness, and love to Christian affection. We can always build and improve. Once we have added all of these things to our lives, and they are improving, we are productive in Christ, but if they are missing, we forget we have been forgiven. Make every effort to secure that what you are doing is God's calling for your life. By continuing to add these things and make improvements, we will never fall away and will be allowed to enter God's Kingdom. Peter says he will keep reminding these of these things until he dies, and we must too remind people of how they need to stay right with God. Finally, Peter says that God revealed to Him that His time is short, yet Peter uses this time to make sure that others are right with God. This is how we should spend our days, making sure others can join us in our salvation.
Peter assures the other Christians that the apostles aren't making up the stuff that they teach about, but they were there with Jesus and witnessed it all as it happened. They saw Jesus get baptized and heard God say that "This is my Son in whom I delight." They know as a fact that the things the prophets said are true, so he encourages Christians to heed their warnings. Indeed, nothing in Scripture is of men's interpretations or from their imaginations, but they actually come from the Holy Spirit spoken through men's mouths.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
1 Peter 5
http://www.esvbible.org/1+Peter+5/
Peter instructs spiritual leaders. He says that they should watch over their flock as God does. Don't serve because they have to but because they want to. They should do it to serve and not out of greed. They are not to be rulers over the people but examples to them.
Then, to the young Christians, Peter instructs that they should submit to the spiritual leaders. They should serve one another because God favors the humble. Turn over all anxiety to God because the devil is on the prowl, and he's looking for someone weak to devour. Be firm because other believers are going through suffering as well. God is with you as you suffer for a short time, and He has all the power!
Peter instructs spiritual leaders. He says that they should watch over their flock as God does. Don't serve because they have to but because they want to. They should do it to serve and not out of greed. They are not to be rulers over the people but examples to them.
Then, to the young Christians, Peter instructs that they should submit to the spiritual leaders. They should serve one another because God favors the humble. Turn over all anxiety to God because the devil is on the prowl, and he's looking for someone weak to devour. Be firm because other believers are going through suffering as well. God is with you as you suffer for a short time, and He has all the power!
1 Peter 4
http://www.esvbible.org/1+Peter+4/
We all suffer for our faith, and Peter says that we should take the same attitude that Jesus took in His suffering. That way, we won't give into our sinful nature but stay in the things that God desires for us. Once, we too did the things that nonbelievers do and led sinful lives. We are no better than them. Now, they insult us because we want to do what is right. Do not worry about them because it is up to God to judge them on their final day. They will have to give an account for everything that they've done. Peter repeats what He says about love. We must love each other with warm sincerity. Love even has the power to cover up sin. Then, as a final thought to all of this, Peter reminds us that we all have Spiritual Gifts, and we are called upon to use them in the name of God. We must speak of His Word. We must serve with His strength. In this way, He receives all of the glory.
Just as Paul said, Peter repeats that all Christians will suffer in the name of Christ, but when this happens, we should not feel alone. How much better do you feel knowing that people suffer for the name of Jesus all around the world, from all different backgrounds, and for all different reasons? When you suffer, embrace it. Know that you are sharing some of what Christ felt. It should even make you joyful because it means that the presence of the Lord rests on you, and Satan os trying to drive you away from God. Therefore, it is important in times of testing to stand firm in faith. When you suffer for God, praise Him.
We all suffer for our faith, and Peter says that we should take the same attitude that Jesus took in His suffering. That way, we won't give into our sinful nature but stay in the things that God desires for us. Once, we too did the things that nonbelievers do and led sinful lives. We are no better than them. Now, they insult us because we want to do what is right. Do not worry about them because it is up to God to judge them on their final day. They will have to give an account for everything that they've done. Peter repeats what He says about love. We must love each other with warm sincerity. Love even has the power to cover up sin. Then, as a final thought to all of this, Peter reminds us that we all have Spiritual Gifts, and we are called upon to use them in the name of God. We must speak of His Word. We must serve with His strength. In this way, He receives all of the glory.
Just as Paul said, Peter repeats that all Christians will suffer in the name of Christ, but when this happens, we should not feel alone. How much better do you feel knowing that people suffer for the name of Jesus all around the world, from all different backgrounds, and for all different reasons? When you suffer, embrace it. Know that you are sharing some of what Christ felt. It should even make you joyful because it means that the presence of the Lord rests on you, and Satan os trying to drive you away from God. Therefore, it is important in times of testing to stand firm in faith. When you suffer for God, praise Him.
Monday, June 25, 2012
1 Peter 3
http://www.esvbible.org/1+Peter+3/
Wives can win their husbands over to Christ by submitting to their authority. They should also never let their beauty be something external because true beauty comes from the inside. This is how truly beautiful women have always shown their beauty. Peter also had to remind the men of his time that their wives were equally people, and they receive the same love from God that men do.
Even in today's world, people struggle with the last thing that 1 Peter 3 says. In this part, Peter says that we should live in harmony with other people. We should never repay evil with evil but should repay it with blessings because we have something so much greater than them, and we need to share it with all people. People shouldn't want to make you suffer when you do good, but if they do, just think about how much God has in store for you if your suffering is His will. Keep your conscience clear. When you were baptized, it was not so that the dirt could be washed away but so that you could have a clear conscience. Jesus didn't sin but He died and came back to life. His actions speak volumes more than any of us ever could, so we have to at least stay out of the way if we're not doing good.
Wives can win their husbands over to Christ by submitting to their authority. They should also never let their beauty be something external because true beauty comes from the inside. This is how truly beautiful women have always shown their beauty. Peter also had to remind the men of his time that their wives were equally people, and they receive the same love from God that men do.
Even in today's world, people struggle with the last thing that 1 Peter 3 says. In this part, Peter says that we should live in harmony with other people. We should never repay evil with evil but should repay it with blessings because we have something so much greater than them, and we need to share it with all people. People shouldn't want to make you suffer when you do good, but if they do, just think about how much God has in store for you if your suffering is His will. Keep your conscience clear. When you were baptized, it was not so that the dirt could be washed away but so that you could have a clear conscience. Jesus didn't sin but He died and came back to life. His actions speak volumes more than any of us ever could, so we have to at least stay out of the way if we're not doing good.
1 Peter 2
http://www.esvbible.org/1+Peter+2/
More warnings from Peter. We should get rid of anything evil that we have in our lives. It can come in so many forms that we may not even realize it, but we are examples of Christ for the non believers in the world, so we must be different. Peter calls Jesus the cornerstone, which is a common analogy because building are build based on where the cornerstone is laid. It is the most important stone and the most glorified. Jesus plays that role in life. He says that people rejected this cornerstone, but we as Christians are running towards it. The prophecies said that the stone builders rejected became the cornerstone and people tripped over it and found offense. People did not like Jesus. They had Him executed, but He is the cornerstone of Salvation. People trip over Him because what He calls us to do is difficult and they take offense to Him because they do not want to do what He tells them to do. A reminder: we were once not God's people, but He accepted us as His people in time. Keep the corrupt nature's desires at bay because they constantly attack our good nature. We are foreigners to this world because as Jesus said, we don't belong here any more than He did. We must live in a way that the unbelievers find weird. They will think what we do is bad when we truly do good.
Place yourself under the authority of the government. This pleases the Lord. Peter tells the people of the time ti obey the emperor because he has the highest authority. In the US, that translates to obeying the president. MOST people don't have a problem with this; however, God calls you to obey him whether you believe in his policies or not. God wants you to silence fools by doing what is right. How can you set the right example if you do what is wrong? Keep in mind that Peter even wrote this when Nero outlawed Christianity. He's saying obey the laws but God does come first in all things. Don't use faith as a means to do what is illegal. He tells slaves to submit to their masters and show them respect. People in that time could've come to know Christ in that way. Obey not only the kind one's but the unfair ones as well. God loves it when people remember how great He is and continue to obey Him while they suffer. Remember, you get no credit for enduring suffering for doing what is wrong, but God is pleased when you endure suffering for doing good. We have to suffer because Christ suffered for us. He left us here as His examples to the world to follow in His footsteps. Christ suffered, yet He did not sin or do anything even remotely wrong. He healed us through His wounds.
More warnings from Peter. We should get rid of anything evil that we have in our lives. It can come in so many forms that we may not even realize it, but we are examples of Christ for the non believers in the world, so we must be different. Peter calls Jesus the cornerstone, which is a common analogy because building are build based on where the cornerstone is laid. It is the most important stone and the most glorified. Jesus plays that role in life. He says that people rejected this cornerstone, but we as Christians are running towards it. The prophecies said that the stone builders rejected became the cornerstone and people tripped over it and found offense. People did not like Jesus. They had Him executed, but He is the cornerstone of Salvation. People trip over Him because what He calls us to do is difficult and they take offense to Him because they do not want to do what He tells them to do. A reminder: we were once not God's people, but He accepted us as His people in time. Keep the corrupt nature's desires at bay because they constantly attack our good nature. We are foreigners to this world because as Jesus said, we don't belong here any more than He did. We must live in a way that the unbelievers find weird. They will think what we do is bad when we truly do good.
Place yourself under the authority of the government. This pleases the Lord. Peter tells the people of the time ti obey the emperor because he has the highest authority. In the US, that translates to obeying the president. MOST people don't have a problem with this; however, God calls you to obey him whether you believe in his policies or not. God wants you to silence fools by doing what is right. How can you set the right example if you do what is wrong? Keep in mind that Peter even wrote this when Nero outlawed Christianity. He's saying obey the laws but God does come first in all things. Don't use faith as a means to do what is illegal. He tells slaves to submit to their masters and show them respect. People in that time could've come to know Christ in that way. Obey not only the kind one's but the unfair ones as well. God loves it when people remember how great He is and continue to obey Him while they suffer. Remember, you get no credit for enduring suffering for doing what is wrong, but God is pleased when you endure suffering for doing good. We have to suffer because Christ suffered for us. He left us here as His examples to the world to follow in His footsteps. Christ suffered, yet He did not sin or do anything even remotely wrong. He healed us through His wounds.
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