- …as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 2 Peter 3:16 – Here the Apostle Peter is speaking of the letters that Paul had written to the church, letters such as the book of Romans or Ephesians. And what does Peter, the Apostle Peter himself, say about Paul’s writings? That they aren’t easy to understand all the time. What a relief, for if Peter thought them hard to understand sometimes it makes me feel better knowing that sometimes I get wholly lost in what scripture is saying! Take heed though to the warning placed here. Peter didn’t shame any for finding scripture difficult to understand, but he did speak against those who choose to speak ignorantly of scripture and who begin to twist the truth of scripture. Know then it is totally acceptable, and even expected, to not always understand immediately what scripture is saying. Scripture is hard, and even for me who’s been in ministry work for almost half my entire life still need to use study tools to even write these daily devotions! Yet be careful not to create your own doctrines out of the scriptures you don’t fully understand and especially don’t be teaching those “new” doctrines to others when you don’t understand the scripture first. This is what Peter was meaning about twisting scripture. Rather than forming new beliefs around passages you don’t understand, seek out understanding over these passages so you know the truth behind the confusing words. Be careful then to not quickly form beliefs over scripture when you don’t understand it and be wise to not listen to the words of teachers who clearly aren’t taking time to understand the scriptures they are teaching. Scripture can be confusing, but it can be understood with effort. Be willing to put in that effort so you live your life based on truth instead of twisted doctrine. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3285
- Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness…2 Peter 3:11 – That’s a solid question, what sort of people ought we be? If Christ is coming back and judgement will be on the earth and all things will be made right, what type of people ought we be? If you knew your parents could come home at anytime, wouldn’t you knock off the bad behavior? If you knew your boss was on his way back into the office, wouldn’t you wrap up the laziness and get back to work like you should have been all along? Jesus is coming back, so how ought we to live? I believe even without me making a long list of things you know what God wants. He wants you to love Him and love people. Let’s start that today because we don’t know if we have a tomorrow. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 748
- But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9 – Why is God taking so long? I don’t know what context you might be saying that in, but I’m confident at some point in your story you’ve said this. Why is God taking so long at bringing me that special someone? Why is God taking so long at bringing the healing I need or the clarity on this confusion situation? Mine right now is why are things taking so long for the adoption process for one of our daughters, especially when it’s causing her so much pain the longer it gets drawn out. Our passage looks at the coming of Jesus again and is asking that same question, why is it taking so long? It reminds us though that God’s timing is far different than ours. It always reminds us the point of why we’re here. It’s not to be married, to be whole, or to have a family, it’s to guide others to repentance. All those others things are deep, wonderful blessings, but the point of our story is to help people to Jesus. Meaning Jesus may allow us to stay in a difficult season, waiting longer in it than we ever expected to, all for the point of helping someone in that season come to know Him. When we understand that Jesus’ heart is first about the world coming to know Him, it helps us navigate that question of why is He taking so long. Maybe because the moment you step out of this season the opportunity to tell the people in that season about Him will be over. In season and out, share the message of Jesus and trust His timing on your move out of this current season will come precisely when it’s needed to. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2010
Daily DEVO 