His divine power has given us everything we need for a
godly life (2 Peter 1:3).
First Peter was written secretly from Rome to those
displaced by Neronian persecution, warning them to never respond to evil with
evil, but to let their faith be refined by suffering. Time has passed since
that writing. It would seem that Peter has been discovered, or maybe he just
thinks he can’t remain hidden much longer. His life is in danger, and he writes
to his friends one last time.
Second Peter is another of his letters to the same refugees
informing them among other things that he is living on borrowed time. There are
some things he needs to tell them while he still can.
Keep growing in faith, goodness, knowledge,
self-control, perseverance, godliness, affection and love (from 1:5-7). We
have two choices: we can work to grow up in Christ or we can stall and become
worthless. Growing up takes effort, but God has graciously given us everything
we need.
Christ’s return is sure
(1:16), but false prophets have leveraged his delay to infect his followers
with doubt (2:1). They will say,
“Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?”
(3:4). No matter what our detractors may say, we can be sure we have not
been forgotten.
Christ’s delay is measured to allow unbelievers time to
repent and believers time to mature (3:8-11).
God wants no one to perish, but all to come to repentance.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
How does Peter’s second
secret letter speak to you?
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