TEXT: 2 Peter 3:3-14
MEMORY VERSE: 2 Peter 3:13 “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heaven and new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
PRACTICAL TRUTH: Bible encouraged believers to keep their focus on the future and not be disheartened by the present challenges
INTRODUCTION:
In the first chapter of 2 Peter, the apostle exhorted Christian believers to grow spiritually. However, spiritual growth is often hindered by many factors.
One of the strongest hindrances to Christian maturity is deception practiced by false teachers. Peter, therefore, exposed these dangerous teachers in chapters 2 and 3. He described the false teachers and their teachings, revealing that God would judge them (2 Peter 2:1-21). Christians must not be deceived by these teachers; they must maintain consistent, godly lives. Peter encouraged believers to keep their focus on the future and not be disheartened by present problems.
OUTLINES
- Ignorance of Unbelievers (2 Peter 3:3-6)
- Plan of God (2 Peter 3:7-10)
- Conduct of Believers (2 Peter 3:11-14)
IGNORANCE OF UNBELIEVERS (2 PETER 3:3-6)
Peter described the false teachers as scoffers, walking after their own lusts (2 Peter 3:3). They ridicule what God has said; instead of walking according to God’s will, they live in accordance with their sinful desires. These men are self-centered, not godly.
Peter said that the scoffers would come in the last days (2 Peter 3:3); certainly, our present time fits this description. Scoffers reject the idea that there is a God in control of the world. They see only a physical world running according to natural laws. They consider biblical promises, such as the return of Christ, to be idealistic designs to satisfy one’s conscience (2 Peter 3:4). The scoffers have chosen to ignore factual information given in the Word of God. Peter pointed out historical events that reveal God’s working in the world. These events have produced observable proof of God’s activity. The two events are creation and the flood. If God has worked in the world in this way in the past, the objection raised by scoffers against Christ is undermined. The world is not functioning solely because of natural laws; it is operating under God’s control.
PLAN OF GOD (2 PETER 3:7-10)
The world is not merely continuing without purpose or plan. God is involved in fulfilling a purpose concerning the earth. In the past, God judged the earth with the flood (2 Peter 3:6). In the future, God will again judge the world because of the sinfulness of its people (2 Peter 3:7). The entire earth, polluted by sin, will be destroyed by fire. The world in which we live appears to have continued for centuries with the same evils, violence, oppression, and injustice, often going unpunished and unrestrained. People seem to break God’s laws and escape consequences. Because of this, some people believe God is slow in bringing judgment (2 Peter 3:8).
God’s apparent slowness in bringing judgment on the sinful world is not due to forgotten promises; rather, it stems from His desire to bless humanity rather than condemn them (2 Peter 3:9). What people perceive as God’s delay in bringing judgment actually reveals God’s mercy. God is both just and compassionate. Bringing judgment does not bring Him joy; instead, the repentance of people brings Him joy (Luke 15:7). People must not presume upon God’s grace, for His judgment will certainly come. The day of reckoning “will come as a thief in the night” (2 Peter 3:10), unexpectedly and without specific warning.
CONDUCT OF BELIEVERS (2 PETER 3:11-14)
After describing how God will judge the sinful world, Peter focused on the practical application of this to his readers. Christians should be characterized by holy conduct and godliness (2 Peter 3:11). Godly behavior is expected of believers.
Peter provided both a negative and a positive motivation for Christians to live godly lives. The negative motivation is that all that has been corrupted by sin will be burned and destroyed (2 Peter 3:12). All worldly goods and esteemed earthly treasures will inevitably be lost; therefore, people should not invest their lives in what will be consumed. On the positive side, Christians have God’s promise of a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13). In the new world, righteousness will rule. Peter then challenged the believers in 2 Peter 3:14 to be diligent. A right relationship with a righteous God results in a peaceful spirit and a blameless walk. Our actions and attitudes should be surrendered to His authority.