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