2 Peter: Remember, remember, remember.

“Dear friends, this is now the second letter I am writing you, and in both letters, I am trying to arouse you to wholesome thinking by means of reminders.” – 2 Peter 3:1 (CJB)  


Peter’s second letter feels like a final push, a heartfelt attempt to keep believers focused and faithful. Knowing his time is short (1:14), Peter writes with urgency, aiming to shake his readers awake. He’s not introducing new concepts but reminding them of truths they already know—truths that, if ignored, could lead to spiritual disaster.


1. Grow or Get Stuck (Chapter 1)

Peter opens with a call to spiritual growth, laying out a clear progression of virtues:  

- Faith.  

- Goodness.  

- Knowledge.  

- Self-control.  

- Perseverance.  

- Godliness.  

- Mutual affection.  

- Love.  


This isn’t just a "self-improvement" checklist—it’s a survival guide. Peter warns that without growth, believers risk becoming ineffective, unproductive, and even forgetful of their salvation (1:8-9).  


He ties this to the reliability of Scripture, grounding their faith in the Word and his eyewitness account of Jesus’ majesty (1:16-21). Peter’s reminder: **Don’t coast in your faith; keep growing, or you’ll lose your footing.


2. Beware of Empty Promises (Chapter 2)

Peter shifts gears with a stark warning about false teachers. These aren’t outsiders—they rise up from within, secretly introducing destructive heresies (2:1). Their tools? Greed, deception, and empty words.  


They promise freedom but deliver chains, exploiting others while being slaves to their own corruption (2:19). Peter doesn’t hold back, describing them as springs without water and mists driven by storms (2:17)—appearing useful but ultimately empty.  


He uses history to highlight God’s pattern of judgment:  

- Sinful angels were cast down.  

- The flood wiped out wickedness in Noah’s time.  

- Sodom and Gomorrah burned for their depravity.  


His message: God’s judgment is certain, and those who lead others astray will not escape.


3. Remember, He’s Coming Back (Chapter 3)

The heart of Peter’s reminder is here. He addresses scoffers who mock the promise of Christ’s return, saying, "Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?" (3:4). These doubters point to the apparent delay as proof that nothing will happen.  


But Peter flips their argument:  

- God’s timing isn’t like ours—He’s patient, not slow (3:8).  

- His delay is an act of mercy, giving people time to repent (3:9).  


Peter vividly describes the Day of the Lord as a time when the heavens will disappear, the earth will be laid bare, and everything will be judged (3:10). In light of this, believers are called to live holy and godly lives, looking forward to a new heaven and earth where righteousness dwells (3:11-13).  


His reminder: Don’t get distracted by the delay. Jesus is coming back—be ready.


A Closing Thought.

Peter’s second letter may have been written centuries ago, but it speaks directly to us today. False teachers still offer empty promises. Skeptics still dismiss the idea of judgment. The call to spiritual growth, discernment, and readiness is as relevant as ever.  

Peter’s words aren’t just about survival; they’re about thriving in faith despite challenges. His reminder echoes through the ages:

- Grow in your salvation.

- Guard against deception.  

- Gladly expect redemption.


Let’s not lose sight of Peter’s purpose: to arouse us to wholesome thinking, to wake us up, and to keep us grounded in the truth.  


So, as Peter asks, “What kind of people should you be?” (3:11)...



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When the firstborn dies.

Image
Everything Changes When a Firstborn Dies. Today, I found myself reflecting on ancient Egypt—specifically, during the reign of the Pharaoh who didn’t know Joseph (Exodus 1:8). It was a time of great power, but also of great sorrow, especially when things took a tragic turn. Now, you might know the story, but let's revisit it a bit. Joseph, the shepherd boy and his father’s favorite, found himself in a bit of a pickle. His brothers, tired of his dreams and his fancy coat, sold him off to some merchants. These merchants then sold Joseph as a slave in Egypt. Fast forward a few years, and our boy Joseph had climbed the ranks in Egypt, from slave to leader. He was well-known, respected, and even had a family. Then, a severe drought struck, and Egypt, under Joseph’s brilliant management, became the region’s breadbasket. It’s said that the grain stores were so full that they stopped keeping records (Genesis 41:49). This abundance attracted people from all over, including Joseph’s own...
Read more

Full year BRG - Canonical

Image
Key Tips for Success Consistency Over Perfection: If you miss a day, don’t give up. Use the lighter weekends to catch up. Break It Down: Split the daily chapters into smaller portions (e.g., morning and evening readings). Use Audio Bibles: If you're too tired to read, listen to the chapters while driving, cooking, or relaxing. Journal Your Journey: Note one insight or question per day to deepen understanding and engagement. Accountability Groups: Form a small Bible study group to stay motivated and share reflections. - Week 1 (Jan 1–7):   Mon: Genesis 1–4     Tue: Genesis 5–8     Wed: Genesis 9–12     Thu: Genesis 13–16     Fri: Genesis 17–20     Sat: Genesis 21–22     Sun: Genesis 23–24   - Week 2 (Jan 8–14):   Mon: Genesis 25–28     Tue: Genesis 29–32     Wed: Genesis 33–36     Thu: Genesis 37–40     Fri: Genesis 41–4...
Read more

Praying for the physically ill.

Image
Whenever we have a loved one not feeling well, admitted in hospital or maybe even in a critical condition according to the medics, prayer can become hard. We get to a point of prayer fatigue (I first heard that term from a friend called Sarah) and if things are not handled well, we may end up praying amiss as James describes it. I have highlighted the WE sections to emphasize the value of prayer of unity. However, if you're praying while alone, you still are not alone. Believers pray in the company of other believers seen or unseen. That's why our Lord taught us to pray "our father" and not my father. We're never alone in the place of prayer. May this guide help you pray for yourself, your loved one, friend or a friend to a friend. Pray in the spirit and with understanding. 1. Praying for God's Will to Be Done In Mark 1:40-42, a man with leprosy came to Jesus and said, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus responded, "I am willing....
Read more