Today’s Scripture: 2 Peter 1:12, NKJV- “For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.”
Peter knew that we need the constant reminders of God’s Word. The sixty-six books that comprise our Bible were never intended to be just another book we have read. We often hear believers, and non-believers alike say they have read the bible. Of course, we also know people who have said that they have tried to read the bible and it just did not make sense to them.
Peter was very polite in 2 Peter 3:1 “Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.” (NIV) We most certainly need reminders of what God has done for us. 2 Peter 3:2-3 encourages us “ that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.” (ESV)
There have always been scoffers who cast doubt on God and His Word. Considering the political and moral contradictions in this world today, I find 2 Peter 3:5 particularly interesting. “But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.” (NIV)
The King James Version says that those who refuse to believe the promises of God are willingly ignorant. I confess that I have been willfully disobedient in my life. I am thankful for the promises of 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (NIV)
2 Peter 3:11 calls for us to live holy and godly lives. Since we know that we are not always holy and godly we can trust God’s patience with ourselves and everyone else. Whether people currently believe in the promise of a new heaven and new earth or are willingly ignorant, we all find salvation in Jesus Christ if we look to Him. We learn about Jesus by remembering who the Bible says He is. The only way we can live spotless, blameless, and peaceful lives is to continually go to God’s Word to be reminded of how to live.
Peter mentions Paul in 2 Peter 3:16 “He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.” (NIV) Although the Bible can be hard for us to understand at times, we must not be ignorant to God’s Word because evil people are always attempting to distort and shake our faith.
We must continually go to God’s Word to be reminded of His demands for His people. As Peter stated in 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (NIV) We can only grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior by going to His Word.
I write because I want to share the encouragement and recollection of the peace, joy, love, and Spirit of our LORD that I find every time I go to His Word. What does God remind you of when You read His love letters to you?
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your holy prophets and apostles that remind us of the life You have created for us to live. Use us LORD to share Your Word as well as the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your patience with us and for Your Word that reminds us of how we are to live holy as You are holy. In the name of Jesus, we do pray. Amen.
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