Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:17-18)
People get hung up with how things will be before Jesus returns.
There’s no doubt Peter wanted to remind his readers that Jesus will return and the circumstances of that won’t be rosy for everyone. That was not done, however, to get people obsessed with preoccupying their lives looking for how He’ll return and adding all the latest news reports to suggest that He will return at 11:27am (GMT) on 27th November 2024.
From the first word to the last it’s Peter’s desire to bring the focus back on what should be the whole purpose of life – growing in knowing Jesus. The sort of of lives we live in the knowledge of the return of Christ is the sort of life that pleases Christ. A life committed to sharing the good news of Him and sharing what life in Him looks like in a world so often consumed with dark routes.
There is a way that we get consumed with the wrong things. Whether it’s getting too consumed with proving our academic prowess when it comes to scripture, or making a big deal about social changes without spiritual substance. In all things we need to keep the central focus on growing in knowing who Jesus is. A knowledge that calls for reference to the written Word and a call to make a difference in our community. Essentially though a call for people to see Him when they see us.
As Peter leaves these words with those who will follow as he prepares to fall asleep, so we are challenged to follow his same life’s commitment to know who He is.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 