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Thursday, November 16, 2017

Walking in Diligent Perseverance {2 Peter 3 }



Today Peter reminds his beloved people that the Day of the Lord is near. That they should be resting on His promise with faith! I still remember the first day I heard of Jesus’ return, I was probably 7 or 8 years old. I was thrilled and so eagerly waited in the next few days for Him to come!! So many years have gone by and I sadly have to confess there have been times in my life I’ve lost that zeal, by getting so caught up in the cares of this world! I praise our Father for not giving up on us!! And this is Peter’s concern, so he warns us that we should be careful, we need to be reminded of and remember the old truths that we already possess, but tend to forget.  We must continue to stand firm on our faith!  We must warn those who might take these Truths for granted and might even answer: “Yes, I know that…”, but will continue to live as this would not happen in the near future. Then there are those who won’t even believe that He will come at all, because they see no changes and they’d just rather live according to this world’s standards -Psalm 55:19- (3:3-7).

As I look back to my childhood, and all the years that our Father has granted me to this day I am forever grateful, He has delayed His return for my sake and the sake of my loved ones (3:9-10): giving us the opportunity to get to know Him more through His Word and also to witness to those who are astray, and some others have received His Salvation! But there is still much work to do!


Jesus warned:  “So be alert [give strict attention, be cautious and active in faith], for you do not know which day [whether near or far] your Lord is coming. But understand this: If the head of the house had known what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore, you [who follow Me] must also be ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him”.(Matt. 24:42-44)
Peter points out that the God who created the universe by His word and destroyed the wicked in the flood, has also warned that He will judge the ungodly in the future by fire.  (3:10-11) –Mal. 4:1, 2Thess 1:7-
Peter encourages us: “So, beloved, since you are looking forward to these things, be diligent and make every effort to be found by Him [at His return] spotless and blameless, in peace [that is, inwardly calm with a sense of spiritual well-being and confidence, having lived a life of obedience to Him]. 15 And consider the patience of our Lord [His delay in judging and avenging wrongs] as salvation [that is, allowing time for more to be saved]” (14-15)

To be diligent (2 Tim. 2:15) means giving our attention to something. It implies making every effort or exerting ourselves toward a goal. It doesn’t happen accidentally. It requires deliberate focus. The forces of the world and our flesh are so great that if we do not apply diligence, we will be carried along in the wrong direction

That fact that God’s Day of Judgment is coming, should motivate us to live in diligent perseverance, which rests on four things: (Bible.org)

- the hope of His coming;
- holiness  (1Pe. 1:15) necessary for a clear conscience  (living in peace) –Ro.12:18, 14:19-;
- developing a heart for the lost (3:15a),
- and laying hold of the Truths from the Scriptures (1Thess.2:13, Gal. 1:11-12)

As Peter finishes his final epistle, concerned about the influence of false teachings, he wants us to persevere and he  exhorts us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. He gives us three essentials for perseverance in the faith: guard ourselves from spiritual error, grow in the grace and knowledge of Him, and live to glorify His name. (3:18)

 “You will never feel yourself such a worm as when, by faith, you see your Savior dying for you; you will never know your own nothingness so well as when you see your Savior’s greatness. When you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, you will be sure to grow in humility.” C.H. Spurgeon

Christ didn’t give His life for us just to start the Christian life. He gave His life so that we would finish it and finish it well! So remember: walk in diligent perseverance!!

 “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Rev. 5:12)! Let us  Glorify Him both now and unto the day of eternity!

Blessings!
Mari