2 Peter 3

As Christians we need to be mindful of the truths that we have learned, lest temptors come along and deceive us into thinking that we can act like the rest of the world while the Lord tarries and still be saved. We should expect that scoffers will mock the truth about what we believe, but we need to stand firm. Verses 3-7, “...knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.' For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”  It is shocking how blatant the mocking has become. It seemed that people used to at least have a superstitious belief of God and not want to offend Him, even if they were not saved. Now people speak and act defiantly, right in the face of God without any fear. These ungodly people will be judged. Matthew 12:36-37, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Verse 9, “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.”  Some might say that we are wrong in our beliefs because Jesus has not yet come, and things carry on as usual. False prophets incorrectly predicting His return has only given scoffers more fuel for their fire in this regard. While others know the truth, but willingly forget or ignore it, so they can practice disobedience while walking after their lusts and seeking after earthly pleasures. True faith is trusting in things we cannot see, and being found faithful when He does indeed return. Matthew 24:44-51, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 'Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’  and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Verses 10-13, “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? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”  Knowing the truth about Christ's return should affect our current conduct...if our faith is indeed genuine. Otherwise, we are among those who have faith without works and our religion is useless. It does you no good to have a belief in God if you follow the dictates of your own heart rather than His commands. Furthermore, those who are in pursuit of holy conduct and godliness will be persecuted by these who have dead religion and desire to please their flesh. As we read yesterday, they have been deceived by their heart to engage in covetous practices and want your light quenched.

Verse14-15, “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation...”.  Since we know that God will judge the evil and the unfaithful servants, we need to look ahead, and put daily effort into our walks. Philippians 2:12 says to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Rather than assuming that God is unfaithful with His promise of return, we need to understand His loving nature toward His creation, giving all the opportunity to repent. No one will have a good excuse on the day of judgement. Verses 17-18, “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

Even if you have been steadfast in the faith in the past, it is still possible to fall away when you choose to ignore God's way in favor of your own. You can become hardened to the truth when you allow sin to enter, and there are many verses in the scriptures to back this up. Hebrews 3:12-14, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.”  Those who teach in "once saved, always saved" are examples of those we read about in Verse 16 who twist scriptures. They may think it is to their advantage, and may have what seems like success while tickling others' ears to follow them, but eventually they will have their destruction!  Hebrews 10:37-38, “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”  Sadly, all those who have been deceived into walking away from the truth they once believed, will join in their judgment, despite what they have been deceived into believing is true!