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