12.21 2 Peter

Lisa Streng

12.21.2020

2 Peter   

Summarize the day’s reading in one paragraph. 

Peter is writing this letter to believers to warn them about false teachers who are saying that since Jesus had not yet returned, He won’t be returning.  They are saying that if Jesus isn’t returning, then there is no expectation of judgment, and if there’s no expectation of judgment, then anything goes. Peter explains why this isn’t true and testifies to them that he was an eyewitness to Jesus Christ during His ministry and can vouch for the Truth. Peter also reminds them of the reliability of the prophets and their messages and of God’s judgment through the ages. He encourages them to remember what they’ve been taught and to live lives pleasing to God, not only to benefit their community now, but also for the eternal reward.

What is one key verse? Psalm 59:17

2 Peter 3:10-13

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.^[a]

¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹² as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.^[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³ But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Why? 

I chose these verses because I think we can all use a good reminder that what we believe is TRUE, the Savior that we follow is REAL, He was FORETOLD by the prophets, SEEN and HEARD by the disciples, MURDERED, RISEN, and ENTHRONED!  The forgiveness that we received is POWERFUL, the Holy Spirit COUNSELS us, the way that we live MATTERS, and God’s JUDGMENT IS COMING!

How does what you read change your vision of God?

This passage reminds me of how POWER, PATIENT, and PUNTUAL God is.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

It reminds me that as believers we need to be aware that there are false teachers/ideologies NOW in this present time, and that we need to be on our toes. We need to be vigilant and watchful and be brave enough to speak the truth in love to one another and to the world. satan is crafty and is trying to get us to fall in line with the world’s version of the truth. We need to remember who we are (disciples of Christ), what we believe (God’s word), why we believe it (Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and  enthronement), and live ( through the Spirit’s power) like we believe it.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters?

I see Him in Peter’s testimony to the believers. Peter is writing this letter to the believers as he’s awaiting his execution! Can you believe it? Peter is about to be executed, and he’s writing people to remind them that “we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16 He wants to remind them, and us, of the life changing, world changing power of Jesus Christ.