September 21, 2022 – Wednesday
2 Peter 3:17-18 NIV
17 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.
18 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 NASB ‘95
17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him bethe glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Comment
The two verses above conclude Peter’s second letter addressed to the same churches as his first letter, the churches in Asia Minor or modern-day Turkey.
Peter begins his conclusion by stating, 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. Peter has spent much of this letter warning believers about false teachers who will twist what he and Paul have taught while living a life of sin. He has a real focus on what we call theology, distorted theology. It was a problem then just as it is today. Many people do not like what scripture has to say and will do their best to distort it, to make it say what they want it to say. They had scoffers then just as we do today, asking the same question, where is your Savior, why has He not yet come? Peter answers this in verses 8-9, 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 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. This should be remind everyone of an old joke. A man asks God, how long is a day for Him. He replies like a thousand years. Then the man asks what is a million dollars to you? God replies, like a dollar. Then the man, smiling, asks if God would give him a dollar. God replies, in a day or two.
I chose the NASB ’95 because it ends verse 17 with steadfastness, 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness. This steadfastness or secure position (NIV) is based on belief in Christ’s future return, and on the hope of entering His kingdom, and thus will be in marked contrast to the unbelief of the “unstable.” The word for “steadfastness” occurs nowhere else in scripture (Ellicott’s Commentary).
Peter then wants us to know how to avoid falling away from our steadfastness. We do that by 18 growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. We are in the world, but we are not to be of the world. How do we avoid being of the world? By growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ while ensuring we give Him the glory both now and forever! Amen. How do we do that? Read your Bible. Join a Bible study group. Attend a church faithfully. Pray for wisdom. Pray for others. Look at the beauty in this world that God provides and know everything in heaven will be so much greater.
Bottom Line: Find your own way to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And do it, otherwise you risk falling away.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help us to seek to grow in the wonderful grace You have granted us, and to seek this growth diligently. As part of that effort, help us to grow in ever greater knowledge of Your Son, our Lord and Savior. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek