Last week my fall bible study classes finished our eight-week study on the book of 2 Peter. I challenged my students to tell someone what they learned. I decided I would share with you all a little bit about what I learned from this short letter that Peter wrote at the end of his life. It is packed with instruction and is very relevant to what is happening in our world today.
- By God’s power, I have “everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him”. When I struggle, I need to remember that God has given me “His precious and magnificent promises” so that by faith I can become a partaker of His divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world.
- Faith is just the beginning of my walk with God. I need to be diligent to supply other qualities to my faith (moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, persevere, godliness, brotherly kindness and love). By doing this I will not stumble but be useful and fruitful; more certain of my calling and God’s choosing of me.
- False teachers are among us in the church. We need to be able to discern the error of their doctrine and not be misled by their “cleverly revised tales”.
- Mockers will come; questioning the truth of God’s word. They will see the apparent lack of action on God’s part, as meaning He cannot act. But what they don’t realize is that God is patience and He wants no one to die for all eternity but all to come to repentance and receive eternal life.
- When the end comes, it is will quick and catch all not looking for it unaware. The present heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire. I should be looking for the new heavens and new earth where there will only be righteousness, not sin or pain.
- If I am not on guard, I will believe the errors of unprincipled people and no longer be steadfast in my faith. Instead, I must be diligent to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Heartland Precepts 