2 Peter 2:1-3

2 Peter 2:1-3

But false prophets also became in the people, as also there will be false teachers in you all, who will bring in heresies of destruction while also denying the Master who bought them.  While bringing to themselves an imminent destruction, many will also imitate their licentious behavior.  Because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.  And in greed by fabricated words, they will exploit you all.  For whom the long-awaited judgment is not idle and their destruction is not drowsy.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Peter warns his audience with truth.  Just as God’s Word is reliable, there are also false teachers in our midst.  There always will be.  They will come among us.  For Peter, this is not a possibility, it is a foregone conclusion.  We can count on people who will lead us away from God.  We can count on people who will try to lead us down the wrong path.  We can count on there being people who will encourage licentiousness instead of godliness.  We can count on there always being people who will want to lead us into destruction rather than leading us into life.

Where are you prone to being led astray?  Where are you capable of seeing and resisting false teachers? 

Second Thought:

We get a touch of a sad note here.  Yes, there will be false teachers who bring destruction upon themselves in their denial of their Creator.  But the truly sad note in this passage is that there will be people who do imitate their behavior.  The false teachers will go around in this world.  They will get people to think that the pursuit of their own goals is more important.  There will be people who desire to imitate their licentious behavior.  The sickness of sin and rebellion spreads.

Do you feel sorrow knowing that the false teachers will gain support and followers who imitate their behavior?  Why do you think people are willing to imitate sinful behavior rather than listening to the reliable Word?

Third Thought:

Of course, this leads Peter to an inevitable conclusion.  They will exploit us.  It’s really quite simple.  They will exploit our kindness, our generosity, our love.  They will exploit it because they exploit those same qualities in God.  They exploit His creation.  They exploit His provision.  They even exploited His Son.  So why wouldn’t they exploit God in us, too?

Where are you exploited by the ways of the world?  Do you resist this exploitation or do you allow yourself to endure the exploitation as Christ did?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Peter 2:4-10

2 Peter 1:19-21

2 Peter 1:19-21

And we have a reliable prophetic word – to which you all do well while carefully considering, as to a lamp while shining into a dark, miserable place, until the time when the days should dawn and a morning star should rise in your heart – knowing this first of all: that every prophecy of scripture does not come from someone’s own interpretation.  For prophecy was never carried by a will of man but rather men spoke from God while being carried by the Holy Spirit.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Peter reminds us about an important fact when it comes to God’s Word.  It is carried to us by the Holy Spirit.  When we speak truth, we don’t speak it out of our own wisdom but rather out of God’s.  When we give a timely word to someone in need, it comes from God and not us.  God’s domain is truth.  When we are in His domain, He deserves to get the credit.

Why is their temptation to take credit when we say something profound or wise?  Why is it important for us to remember to give the credit to God?

Second Thought:

I love the way that Peter describes the world around us: a dark, miserable place.  Ok, to be fair that isn’t exactly what Peter says.  He doesn’t say that the world is a dark, miserable place.  He says that God’s Word is like a light shining into a dark miserable place.  But in truth I think we get Peter’s point.  Human beings can be so narcissistic.  We focus on ourselves and our own needs.  When we do that, the world is indeed a dark and miserable place for ourselves and others.  But we have a Word from God than shines into that darkness.  That is a marvelous thing.

Where is the light of God shining into your life through His Word?  How should this thought help you understand the importance of knowing God’s Word?

Third Thought:

So what point does this all bring us towards?  It brings us to where Peter began.  God’s prophetic Word is reliable.  It is reliable because it comes from Him.  It is reliable because He carries it to us.  It is reliable because it shines into our darkness.  If there is anything that about which we can be assured, it is the reliability of God’s Word.  He promises are true.

Where has God’s Word been reliable in your life?  Where can you stand to lean a little more heavily upon God’s Word?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Peter 2:1-3

2 Peter 1:16-18

2 Peter 1:16-18

For we revealed the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to you all not after following myths that have been cleverly contrived but rather after becoming eyewitnesses of that one’s prominence.  For after receiving honor and glory from God the Father – after a voice was being carried to Him in such a manner as by magnificent glory, “This is my beloved Son into whom I am pleased” – we also heard this voice being carried out of heaven while being with Him in the Holy Mountain.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Peter is really blunt about how he and the other disciples came into power.  They came into power by witnessing it.  They came into power by seeing it in action.  They didn’t read about it.  They didn’t get inspired by listening to some motivational speaker.  They didn’t hear some guilt laden sermon with a pressure-filled altar call.  The disciples saw God’s power on display and it changed them.  This is an awesome point.  We come best to faith by seeing God’s power at work around us.

Where have you witnessed God’s power?  Where in your life can you say God’s power is on display for yourself and others to see?

Second Thought:

There is another very subtle point in this testimony that is worth bringing out.  Peter is able to witness God’s power.  Peter – along with all of the other disciples – are natural human sinners.  Yet they are allowed to see God’s power at work. They are invited by God to see it happen.  Certainly Jesus participated in God’s glory and honor.  But Peter and the other sinful disciples were allowed to participate, too.  God isn’t just the God of the perfect and sinless.  God is the God for any and all.

How often do you contemplate that God has invited you into His presence?  Why is this a point about God’s grace?

Third Thought:

Of course, we can’t pass over this passage without talking about Jesus.  God is well-pleased with Him.  Jesus is obedient to God.  Jesus is willing to die as the Father asks.  He is the ultimate example of living in the faith.

What would it mean to hear God the Father say that He is well-pleased with you?  How can you work in your life to make that happen?  When you think of Jesus’ willingness to be obedient, what examples can you think of that would make the Father pleased with Him?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Peter 1:19-21

2 Peter 1:12-15

2 Peter 1:12-15

Therefore I must intend to continually remind you all of these things, even though you have known and have been made firm in the truth at your disposal.  I regard it as right, as long as I am alive, to cause change in you in a reminder, having known that the removal of my body is coming soon just as our Lord Jesus made clear to me.  And I will always endeavor to have you all able to make this recollection even after my death.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Peter feels the need to remind his audience about matters of the faith.  This is a natural instinct when you care about people.  You want people you care about to be prepared.  You want them to care about things as much as you do.  People feels responsibility for helping his audience mature in the faith.  Here we see Peter displaying genuine concern for them.

For whom do you have concern in the faith?  How do you show your love for them?

Second Thought:

In spite of his concern, Peter is also confident.  They have known the truth.  God has made them firm in the faith.  Just because Peter is concerned about them doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with them.  When God’s truth is in our hands, we can be made firm in our faith through it.

Into whose hands have you helped place the truth?  Is it comforting to remember that it is God who makes us firm in our faith?

Third Thought:

Why is Peter worried about emphasizing the faith in their life?  Why is Peter so worried about making sure that the faith is causing change in the lives of his audience?  He knows that his life is coming to an end.  He knows that for one reason or another he isn’t going to live much longer.  He wants to be productive while he is still alive.  He wants to make sure that he completes the task that his Lord set before him.  He wants to make sure that the people who are left behind are capable of making disciples after he is gone.  That’s incredible noble.

Are you completing the work God has asked of you?  When you are gone, who will have benefitted from God working through you?  Will they be inspired to carry on the work of discipleship?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Peter 1:16-18

2 Peter 1:9-11

2 Peter 1:9-11

For to the one who is not present in these things, he is blind while being shortsighted, forgetful after receiving a cleansing of his former sins.  Therefore, brothers, work even harder to make confirmation of your calling and election.  For while doing these things you all should surely not ever stumble.  In this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided to you all.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Look at the subject of Peter’s conversation early in this verse.  Peter isn’t talking about the person in the world who hasn’t accepted Christ or come to a relationship with God!  Peter is talking about a person who after receiving a cleansing of sin forgets what they have received!  So what is Peter saying?  Peter is saying that even we who are saved can have moments of blindness and stumbling.  Even we who are in relationship with the Lord can be shortsighted and pay more attention to the short-term worldly gain while forgetting the long-term eternal reward.

When have you had your focus in the wrong place?  When have you felt blind and shortsighted in your faith?  How have you come out of those moments?

Second Thought:

What is the remedy to shortsightedness?  We are to work hard.  Let’s face it.  Having a meaningful relationship with the Lord is difficult.  There are so many distractions in our life.  We have to put in the time and the work to be in His Word and know His ways.  But we know that when we put in the work we will never stumble.  When we put in the effort to draw close to God, He will draw close to us and keep us on sure footing.

How is your work ethic in the faith?  Do you see a correlation between your work ethic in the faith and your relationship with the Lord?

Third Thought:

Of course we already know the end result of faith and our commitment to it.  The end result is a richly provided entrance into the kingdom of our Lord.  As we draw closer to God, our ways align with His ways.  As our ways align with His ways, we find the narrow path.  As we find the narrow path, we find the way into God’s eternal kingdom.  I’m not saying that we work towards and earn our salvation at all.  We can only have salvation because of God’s grace through Christ’s sacrifice.  But after God offers us His free gift of grace it is up to us to actually do something with it!

What do you think that the road to the eternal kingdom of God is like to you?  How good are you at keeping your eye on the eternal prize offered to us by God?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Peter 1:12-15

2 Peter 1:5-8

2 Peter 1:5-8

And in this same way, while making every effort, add outstanding virtue in your faith, and knowledge in outstanding virtue, and self-control in knowledge, and endurance in self-control, and godliness in endurance, and brotherly love in godliness, and unconditional love in brotherly love.  For while these exist and abound in you, they bring about neither uselessness nor unproductivity into the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The ultimate expression of who we are is faith.  If you read Peter’s list, he writes these words so that faith is the pinnacle.  But what supports faith?  Virtue supports faith.  Knowledge supports virtue.  Self-control supports knowledge.  Endurance supports self-control.  Godliness enables us to endure.  And what is it that supports godliness?  Love.  Love is the beginning, faith is the outward effect that the world can see.

How do people see your faith?  Does it make sense to think of each of these things as supporting the idea of faith?

Second Thought:

We should pay special attention to the inner two core ideas that supports Peter’s development.  Peter uses both brotherly love – philadelphia - and unconditional love – agape.    Of course, agape is at the core.  We as followers of God should have unconditional love in our core being.  We should have the capacity to love in all circumstances because that is how God relates to us.  How does this ability to love unconditionally show itself in our life?  Unconditional love demonstrates itself in a genuine love for our fellow brothers and sisters.  When we love unconditionally, we should naturally care for the human beings around us.  We should care about their well-being.  At the heart of Peter’s development is the idea of love in all of its divine forms.

Is love at the core of your being?  Do you think love is at the core of God’s being?  How do you know your answer?

Third Thought:

Why are these things important in our life?  Peter tells us that so long as we have these things in our life we are neither useless nor unproductive.  Granted, Peter doesn’t tell us how much we will go forward in usefulness or productivity.  But the point is that if we have these things within us we will be going forward in our faith.  We will be walking forward in your relationship with God through His Son.

Where are your growing edges in the faith?  Where is your relationship with God drawing you closer and closer to Him?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Peter 1:9-11

2 Peter 1:3-4

2 Peter 1:3-4

Because to us is all of His divine power – the things for life and devout piety – through the knowledge of the one who called us to His own glory and outstanding virtue, through which the precious and great promise has been bestowed upon us, in order that through these things you all should become partners of the divine nature after escaping corruption in the coveting nature in the world.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This is a truly difficult set of verses to translate, because Peter honestly doesn’t give us a genuine verb until the middle of 2 Peter 2:4.  However, to get at what he’s saying here we are going to start at the end.  All of what he says in verse three and the first part of verse four hinge on the reality that we become partners of the divine nature after we escape the corruption of the world.  This should make good sense.  God could only bring us into relationship with Him after He had truly dealt with sin for good.  In other words, we only truly become a partner in His divine nature after Christ comes to us.  Of course, Christ is the way out.  He provides the escape for us.  We do not earn it, but we can benefit from it.

How has Christ come for you?  Where can you testify to having escaped the corruption in the world?  Are there places where you are still subject to the influence of the world?

Second Thought:

Once we have escaped the corruption of the coveting nature of the world, though, we can see through the divine eyes.  Once we stop seeing through eyes that are focused inwardly on what is best for the individual, we can see through the eyes of God and see a world that is in need.  We begin to experience His glory and outstanding virtue.  We understand that part of what makes God great is His willingness to help us in our need.  Our life begins to take on much greater meaning because instead of simply pursuing what we want we begin pursuing what is good for the world around us.  We stop being idolaters of the self and begin to be the caretakers of the world that God created us to become.

Where has this transition happened in you?  Where have you been able to put yourself aside and see the world through the compassionate and sacrificial eyes of God?

Third Thought:

Where does this lead us?  Finally we get to where Peter begins in verse 3.  His divine power is given to us.  The things necessary for godliness and piety are transmitted to us when we give up our worldly corruption and begin to see life through His wisdom and virtue.  We don’t’ just get to live a better life, we get to live a life filled with divine power.  We get to live a life filled with things we could never bring upon ourselves.  In fact, Peter reminds us that this is the life to which we have been called by Him to live.  It was the life originally given to Adam and Eve in the garden.  It is the life we were created to live.  Through His power and His sacrifice we can return to that life.

Where do you feel the power of the divine in you?  Where can you feel the ability to live a life of godliness and devout piety?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Peter 1:5-8

2 Peter 1:1-2

2 Peter 1:1-2

Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.  To the ones who obtained an equal value to us by faith in righteousness of our God and savior Jesus Christ.  May grace and peace be multiplied to you all in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Here we have yet another introduction to a letter.  Once more we see the universal words of description for a follower of God: slave and apostle.  What do both of these words convey?  Humbleness.  Both of these words imply a loss of control.  Both of these words imply that someone else in in charge.  Certainly that is clear through the use of the word slave.  Remember that the word apostle means “one who is sent by another with a message.”  Both slaves and apostles are people who do the work of another.  That is the fundamental viewpoint of what it means to be a follower of Christ.

Are you humble before God?  Are you living out of your will or are you living out His will for you?

Second Thought:

Peter gives us a really interesting description about his audience.  He calls them “ones who obtained an equal value.”  So often when I hear this description I cannot help but to think of this in terms of competition.  Are some equal?  Who is better than another?  But this is purely human thinking.  Peter is clear to indicate an equal status.  We are all equal because we have all attained the same measure of grace.  But that’s the key.  It’s all grace.  It isn’t like any of us have earned our salvation!  We have all received the same dispensation of grace: eternal life.  Yes, some of us may do more than others with that gift.  But the truth is that we are all equal in the grace we receive.

How often do you think in human terms of hierarchy?  Why do you think this way?  How does our human need for things like hierarchy and pecking order actually hinder our ability to truly understand things like grace and salvation?

Third Thought:

Peter wishes for grace and peace to be multiplied to his audience.  The question is, what grace and what peace?  So often we think only of what we want now.  We read these words and think that Peter is talking about peace in my life now and grace in my life now.  That is not Peter’s focus, although it certainly can happen.  Peter is talking about peace and grace with God.  Peter is talking about eternal grace and eternal peace.  Peter is talking about drawing closer to God and looking forward to our eternal existence in His presence.

Do you have God’s grace and peace?  Do you feel the multiplication of God’s grace and peace in your life?  How so?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Peter 1:3-4

1 Peter 5:12-14

1 Peter 5:12-14

To you all, through Silvanus, the faithful brother as I regard him, through a few words I write while encouraging and while witnessing this to be the true grace of God – into which you stand firm.  The chosen one in Babylon and also Mark, my son, greets you all.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.  Peace to you all: the ones in Christ.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

While we don’t necessarily know that this man that Peter calls Silvanus is the same man that journeyed faithfully besides Paul, it is church tradition that this was indeed the same man.  If we think about this possibility, it really speaks to the character of Silvanus (Silas).  Here is a man who Peter considered a faithful man.  Here is a man that Paul considered a faithful man.  Yet he doesn’t have a book in the Bible written by him.  I’m willing to bet a number of Christians don’t even know his name.  He was content always being the second fiddle.  What a great model of humble service to God.  Silvanus was always willing to do what God desired regardless of whether he got the glory or not.

In what way is Silvanus a great example of the characteristics of leadership that Peter has been talking about the whole second half of this letter?

Second Thought:

Here at the end Peter tells us one of his major reasons for writing.  He wants to be a witness to the grace of God.  He wants to make sure that people everywhere can understand what the true grace of God is.  He wants to make sure that people know the restorative power of God.  Peter is focused on getting the message of God out to the world.  In this, he truly is an apostle of Christ: one who is sent with a message from God.

Are you impressed with Peter’s focus?  In what way can this be inspirational?  In what way are you able to focus on proclaiming the restorative power of God?

Third Thought:

What is the point upon which Peter ends?  Peace.  Peter extends God’s peace.  What does God’s peace do within us?  God’s peace allows us to have peace with one another.  God’s peace allows us to be community.  God’s peace allows us to long for the best in others and not live in jealousy.  What a great place to end.

Where do you feel God’s peace in your life?  Where does God’s peace overflow into the rest of your life and your relationships with others?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Peter 1:1-2

1 Peter 5:8-11

1 Peter 5:8-11

Be sober-minded.  Be vigilant.  Your adversary the Devil, while roaring as a lion, walks around while seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, steadfast by faith, having known that these same kinds of sufferings are to be brought about to the community of brothers and sisters in the world.  And the God of all grace, who called you all into the eternal glory of Christ Jesus, after suffering for a little while, He Himself will restore, make firm, strengthen, and give a strong foundation.  To Him is the power to control into the ages, amen.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Peter tells us to be sober-minded and to be vigilant.  In other words, we are to always have our faculties about us.  We should be thinking about what is going on around us.  We should be looking, analyzing, and thinking.  We should be considering our motivations.  Why should we be doing all of this?  Because the Devil is seeking people to devour.  He’s looking for people to turn away from God.  He’s looking for people in order to convince them to focus on themselves in a self-centered narcissism.  The Devil wants to turn us from a God who loves others.  We need to be vigilant indeed.

How do you remain vigilant?  When are you likely to not be vigilant?  Why are these important questions to ponder?

Second Thought:

Peter reminds us that we are not alone in suffering.  We might all have our individual suffering, but we are not alone in the suffering.  People all over the world will suffer because of their faith.  People all over the world will experience difficulty because of how they live out their faith.  Yes, we will suffer.  But there will be people around us who know what it feels like.  Because of this community and the faith that comes from God, we can endure.

From where does your hope come?  What community supports you in life when you suffer?

Third Thought:

For what do we hope?  We hope in God’s restoration.  We hope that God can strengthen us.  We hope that God can make us resolute in the face of persecution.  We hope that God can cause us to live a life that has a solid foundation.  That is what God can do with us.  That is why the suffering isn’t so bad after all.  In the end, in the age to come, God will restore life.  That is our hope.  That is why He has the power to rule.

What do you think God’s restoration will feel like?  What do you think life will be like once God’s restoration has come to us?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Peter 5:12-14

1 Peter 5:5-7

1 Peter 5:5-7

In the same way, new ones, be subject to the elders.  Everyone clothe yourself in humility for one another, because God opposes the proud but He gives grace to the humble.  Therefore make yourselves humble under the mighty hand of God in order that He should exalt you all in season, while casting all of your anxieties upon Him, because He cares about them for you all.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Peter talks about “new ones.”  It is hard to know exactly to whom he is referring.  Is he referring to young people?  Given the context, I don’t think so.  He has just gotten done with a section about people who are mature in their faith and their walk with God.  Now Peter turns to the “new ones.”  I believe that Peter is talking about the new ones to the faith.  Peter is telling the people who are just beginning their relationship with God to be subject to the elders.  In other words, learn from the elders.  Follow their example.  Understand what God desires from His followers by looking at those who do follow Him already.

Are you a “new one?” If so, how do submit?  Are you an elder?  How do you receive submission?

Second Thought:

Peter tells us to be humble.  Here we get an opportunity to read one of the more famous quotes in the Bible.  God opposes the proud but He gives grace to the humble.  Do we want to set ourselves in direct opposition to God?  Do we want Him to oppose us?  Of course not!  Yet it is no easy task to be content in being humble, either.  We want the glory.  We want to be noticed.  We want to be someone.  But Peter tells us that it is better to humble in God’s eye, because He can exalt us to a glory that we cannot truly fathom or know.

Are you a humble person?  How do you live out humility?  Where in your life do you struggle with humility?

Third Thought:

Peter ends with a nice thought.  Cast all of your anxiety upon God, because He cares about our anxiety for us.  That’s a really neat thought if we let ourselves have it.  God cares about our anxiety for us!  He cares what we are worried about because He cares about us.  But the real trick is convincing ourselves to believe this.  It is a very difficult thing to let go of our anxiety.  I know that it is in God’s hand and that is where it should be.  There is nobody better equipped to handle the things about which I worry than God.  But it is difficult to release control of that worry and let it go.

Do you give up your worry easily?  What do you worry about the most?  What things are you readily able to give up any worry you might have?  What can you learn about yourself in this situation?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Peter 5:8-11

1 Peter 5:1-4

1 Peter 5:1-4

Therefore, I, a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a sharer of the glory that is about to be revealed, exhort the elders in you all: shepherd the flock of God in you all while exercising oversight neither by obligation but rather willingly according to God, nor by shameful greed but rather eagerly, nor as while ruling over those assigned to you but rather while becoming as an example of the flock.  And after the chief shepherd is revealed you all will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Peter exhorts the elders among the early Christian church.  What does he say about this?  Strong Christian leaders accept the office willingly and eagerly.  They do not need to be bribed into it.  The do not need to be cajoled into it.  They do not need to be asked often about it.  Christian leaders know the need for strong leaders and they accept the office handed to them willingly.

Are you called into Christian leadership?  How willingly do you accept that mantle?

Second Thought:

Leaders also do not lord it over the people under them.  Christian leaders do not need to exercise their authority by force.  Christian leaders do not take their position of privilege for their own benefit.  Christian leaders do not become leaders for their own gain but as an example to the people around them.

Do you think of yourself as an example to the people around you?  Do you ever have a moment when you desire your leadership to lead to your own personal gain?

Third Thought:

Finally, Peter reminds us that when the chief shepherd appears we shall all receive the crown of unfading glory.  This is to make sure that we have the proper focus on Peter’s earlier words of leadership.  If we are truly worth being a Christian leader, our focus will be on God and our perspective will be on the eternal.  We won’t want to see our position of leadership as a means to personal gain because we will know that God has already promised us all that we need – especially in the eternal.

Do you believe that you do not need earthly reward because you have all the eternal reward that you need?  When is this easy to believe?  When is this hard to remember?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Peter 5:5-7

1 Peter 4:17-19

1 Peter 4:17-19

Because it is the time to commence the judgment from the house of God.  And if it is first out of us, what is the end for the ones who disobey the Good News of God?  And if the righteous one is saved with difficulty, what will be seen regarding the ungodly and the sinner?  Therefore, also let the ones who suffer by the will of God commit their souls to the care of a faithful Creator in doing good.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Peter draws us towards his version of Proverbs 11:31.  If the followers of God are to be repaid – repaid for their greater sinfulness, mind you – then how much more will the judgment be for those who are ungodly and sinful and unrepentant!  Peter doesn’t look at life through a lens that says the ungodly will be judged.  No, we will all be judged.  The judgment starts at the very house of God.  We who know God will begin the judgment because we are privileged and know better.  Of course, we know that we are covered by God’s grace.  God’s hand of mercy will be upon us.  But judgment will commence with us and then pass from us to those who do not believe and obey the Lord.

When you think of judgment, what images enter your mind?  How does the thought of judgment make you feel?  Do you think that day will be hard to endure or a day of your glory?

Second Thought:

I love the phrase “saved with difficulty” that Peter buries in the midst of this passage.  Don’t read this passage to mean that the salvation of humankind is almost too difficult even for God. That’s not true at all.  What Peter is reminding us about is that it came at great cost.  God put forth great effort in order to save us.  While it was an act that was certainly within His capability to do, that does not mean He didn’t expend great effort.  He took hundreds of years to prepare His people from Abraham to Moses.  He took hundreds more years to teach them about the Law from Moses to David.  Then he took hundreds more years to teach them about sin and forgiveness and re-creation in the time of the prophets.  And then only after those thousands of years of preparation did He finally send His Son to accomplish His work on the cross.  Of course, that act also had great cost as Jesus experienced acceptance among a few but rejection from the rich and powerful.  Yes, God is mighty to save.  But that does not mean that salvation was easy.  Grace, especially grace done well, is always costly.

Do you ever reflect on the costly nature of God’s grace?  What emotions are stirred within you when you think about the costliness of God’s grace?  What emotions are stirred within you when you think about the time and preparation that God took in order to prepare His salvation for us?

Third Thought:

In the end, we are really left with one position, and it is the greatest of all possible positions.  We must put our faith and our trust in God.  Whatever we do, we do it placing our trust in God’s hands.  But honestly, what better place is there to rest?  Can we save ourselves?  Is the small amount of control that we can exert over the seventy or so years that we have on this earth really even remotely as significant as the control that God can exert for us over eternity?  No, it is good to rest in the hands of God.  It is good to live in His presence.  It is good to place our trust in Him.

Is it easy to let go of things and place them in God’s hands?  Would you classify yourself as one who has committed his soul to the care of God?  How does this play out in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Peter 5:1-4

1 Peter 4:12-16

1 Peter 4:12-16

Beloved ones, do not be surprised by the burning trial in you all while becoming to you all as an examination – as happening to you all in a surprise.  But rather in so far as you all share with the suffering of Christ in order that also in the revelation of His glory you all should rejoice while being overjoyed.  If you all should be spoken of disparagingly in the name of Christ, then you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you all.  For let none of you all suffer as a murderer or thief or evildoer or as a busybody – but if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed.  Let him glorify God in this name.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Peter talks about the trials that come upon us.  But look at Peter’s perspective very closely.  They are something to be expected.  They are an examination.  They are coming from the world to see what we’re all about.  They are an opportunity for us to see what we are all about, too.  If we truly want to know our character, we need to test it!  You drive out the impurities in metal by putting it under stress.  You separate liquids to determine their true composition by putting them under stress.  You determine the content of gaseous mixtures by putting them under stress.  You can determine our character as well when you put us under stress.

How do you deal with stress?  What are you like under stress and examination?

Second Thought:

We also need to see Peter’s perspective in suffering with Christ.  Christ suffered for His relationship with God and His calling from God.  Why wouldn’t we suffer as well?  If the world hated Christ and persecuted Him, why would they think any different of us when we imitate Christ?  We should expect trial and testing because it is what Christ got from the world.

When do you expect to undergo trial?  How good are you at seeing trial come upon you?  When you are under trial, how much do you look like Christ in how you handle the trial?

Third Thought:

Finally, we have some neat words from Peter.  If a Christian suffers because they are a Christian, we should not let them be ashamed.  It is easy to turn our backs upon those who suffer.  It’s easy to distance ourselves from people who are undergoing a rough time.  But Peter says we should not let them be ashamed.  We need to rally around those who suffer.  We need to rally around those who are persecuted for their faith.  We need to go and pick them up in the midst of their suffering.

Do you avail yourselves to lifting up the persecuted?  When is this easy for you to do?  When is this difficult for you to do?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Peter 4:17-19

1 Peter 4:7-11

1 Peter 4:7-11

And the end of all things has come near.  Therefore have sound judgment and exert control over your thinking into prayer while having an unceasing love ahead of all things because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Have hospitality into each other without grumbling.  Similarly, each received a gift into themselves while himself serving as a good steward of the diverse grace of God.  If someone speaks, speak as a word of God.  If someone serves, serve out of a strength that God provides in order that in all things God should be glorified through Jesus Christ, who is glory and power into the age of the ages, amen.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

These first words from Peter have been abused all over the place.  Have you ever seen a sign that says, “The end is near?”  Quite often those signs attribute the words to this section of scripture.  The question, how can these words be true when Peter wrote them?  After all, almost 2,000 years of human existence have gone by since those words were first put to paper.  From a human perspective, these words cannot be true.  The end was not near when Peter wrote them.  However, from a divine perspective – the perspective Peter has been advocating all letter long – these words are spot-on correct.  From God’s perspective, human existence has this pattern: creation, sinful rebellion, teaching the world about sin, Christ’s redemption, teaching the world about grace, Christ’s return.  Christ’s return signifies the end.  Therefore, from God’s perspective the end is near.  There is nothing left on the list between where we currently are and the end.  In that perspective, the end is most certainly near.  In fact, the end is next!

How do you live with an “end is near” attitude?  What mistakes can you make if you take the wrong approach to an “end is near” attitude?  What attitude does Peter recommend in this passage?

Second Thought:

As we go through Peter’s description of the “end is near” attitude, look at what attributes make the top of the list.  Above all else are the things that have to do with selfless love.  Obviously, Peter tells us to serve one another because we are stewards of God’s grace.  We are to be hospitable.  But where Peter begins this is in telling us to keep ourselves in control.  When we are impulsive, we are only thinking of ourselves and what we want.  But when we live in self-control we are putting the needs of others ahead of ourselves.  None of this should come as a surprise.  What is the primary means through which God has shown His love for us?  His Son came and gave His life for our sake.  How do we live with an “end is near” attitude?  We imitate Christ and His great sacrificial love.

Where do you live sacrificially?  How do you model a life that puts others ahead of yourself?

Third Thought:

As we draw to the end of this section of scripture, Peter reminds us how it is that we can even live with an “end is near” attitude.  How can we have the strength to put ourselves aside and think of another instead of ourselves?  We can only do it through God’s power.  We can only do it through God’s strength.  We can only speak love through God’s words.  He is the source of a sacrificial “end is near” living.

How do you get your ability to live in this way from God?  How do you ensure that you are living out of God’s being rather than leaning upon your own strength?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Peter 4:12-16

1 Peter 4:3-6

1 Peter 4:3-6

For the time that has been passing is sufficient to do the will of the Gentiles having lived in a manner lacking moral restraint, lust, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and disgusting idolatry.  In which they are astonished while you do not join into the same excessive flood of recklessness and while blaspheming you all.  These ones will pay out a word to the one who is prepared to judge the living and the dead.  For the Good News was being proclaimed into these and the dead in order that in one case they should be judged according to the flesh of mankind but in another case they should live according to the Spirit of God.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I really enjoy the way that Peter opens this section.  “They time that has been passing is sufficient.”  In other words, we’ve had enough time in our life to live out our disobedience.  One might even take that a bit figuratively and say that human beings have had more than enough time to live in disobedience.  We’ve sowed our wild oats.  It’s time to shape up and humbly submit to the Father and His ways.

Do you feel as though you’ve had enough time to sow wild oats?  Do you ever wish you had freedom to pursue human desire?

Second Thought:

It is interesting to hear Peter’s thoughts on the reaction of the world to those who follow God.  Peter uses words like astonished.  The world doesn’t get it.  They don’t understand.  They cannot contemplate why people would voluntarily choose to ignore their fleshly passions and instead live to a different standard.  The world is amazed when we say no to various carnal impulses.  That’s to be expected, because that is the very opportunity that we then have for mission and ministry.  When we act in a way that causes other people pause, we have an opportunity to explain ourselves.  Not all will listen, of course.  In fact, perhaps many won’t listen.  Perhaps we’ll be mocked, slandered, and even blasphemed against.  But what matters is that through our actions we have an opportunity to astonish the world and then explain why.

Do you do anything astonishing from the world’s perspective?  What do you do?  Have you ever gotten an opportunity to explain your choices to others?  If so, how have they reacted?

Third Thought:

This is a neat verse upon which to end this section.  What is the purpose of the Good News?  It is simple.  The Good News is something that changes all of us.  The Good News is something that all of us experience.  Of course we all live according to the flesh of mankind.  Every single one of us deserves the condemnation that our flesh brings upon us.  Yet, the Good News allows us to live according to the Spirit of God.  Spiritually speaking, we are in fact all dead.  The Gospel allows each of us to live according to the Spirit of God.

What does it mean to you to know that you were dead according to the flesh but allowed to live according to the Spirit of God?  How do you see and feel this truth in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Peter 4:7-11

1 Peter 4:1-2

1 Peter 4:1-2

After Christ suffered for the flesh, equip yourselves with the same manner of thinking because the one who suffered for the flesh has been ceasing in sinful behavior in order to no longer live in the remaining time in the flesh for the lust of mankind but for the will of God.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Peter tells us to be like Christ.  Christ suffered on account of the flesh.  Christ suffered on account of our sinfulness.  Christ suffered because human beings didn’t want to hear His truth on spirituality.  But He was willing to suffer because the truth was on His side.  We should be willing to do the same.  If we have to choose between the truth and suffering, we should be of the same manner of thinking as Christ.

How ready are you to choose suffering?  In this regard, how can you become more Christ-like?

Second Thought:

Notice what Peter says next.  The one who suffered because of the flesh has suffered because their sinful behavior has ceased.  In other words, when we choose to no longer obey sinful cravings we will suffer.  I think that Peter is speaking of many levels of suffering here.  First, Peter is talking about a literal suffering.  When we deny our body what it craves, it will crave it even more intensely for a time.  In other words, we will suffer.  But on another level what Peter is talking about is the rejection of the world.  When we choose to deny the sinful desires of our flesh, the world around us may not understand.  They may even reject us.  We might be mocked and ridiculed.  If we are like Christ, we might even be persecuted and it might just cost us our life.  But rest assured; when we choose to cease our sinful behavior we will experience suffering.

What suffering have you encountered because you have ceased obeying your sinful cravings?  Has it been worth it?

Third Thought:

Why do we cease following our sinful cravings?  We cease our sinful cravings so that we can focus on the will of God.  After all, does Jesus not say that we cannot serve two masters?  It is only when we are willing to give up our sinful desires that we can truly focus on being obedient to God.

Are you living for the will of God?  What have you given up in order to do so?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Peter 4:3-6