… dear friends
Summary: Who are Peter’s friends? Does he have you in mind? Today we explore who Peter is talking to and who he is talking about.
It seems like a good idea to stop here for a moment and revisit who Peter is writing to. He says, “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.” (2 Peter 3:8) Who are Peter’s “dear friends”?
At the beginning of his letter, Peter writes, “To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:” (2 Peter 1:1). A few verses later, he addresses his readers as “my brothers and sisters.” (2 Peter 1:10)
Peter’s letter is not addressed to a specific person. Like his first letter, it is intended to be read by many people. Once written and sent, Peter has no control over who reads it. Interestingly, this letter is, in part, about people who are not “brothers and sisters” in the faith. They live among the brothers and sisters, but they are not part of them.
The church has been plagued with these people since the beginning. There are people among the brothers and sisters who are not believers, yet they teach about Christ! Some people walk among believers in congregations who scoff at God’s Word.
The relationship between Jesus and his flock is very personal. People worship under false teachers, yet are called to Christ. Peter’s letter is both a warning and a guidebook. Peter does not tell us to purge the false teachers from the church. Instead, he tells us, “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.” (2 Peter 2:1)
So how does this work? How is the church supposed to survive false teachers and scoffers?
Peter writes, “…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.” (2 Peter 2: 9) Jesus has got this. He knows what is going on.
In Paul’s letter to the Church at Rome, he writes:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8: 28-30)
Jesus has us covered.
Part of trusting God is trusting that he knows what is going on. He knows when someone teaches a falsehood. He knows the difference between a well-meaning false teaching and a malicious one. He knows how to handle all of this. And for those of us who are hungry to know our Lord better, he knows how to feed us through his Spirit and his Word. As Peter writes in 2 Peter 2:9, the Lord knows how to rescue the godly.
It is a complicated business from our point of view. We cannot see into people’s hearts. We cannot know what God knows. Yet because God knows the heart of every man, we can be confident that he knows our heart, too.
Application: Open your heart to Jesus.
Food for Thought: How are we to look at other people in our church or other people in other churches?
Obviously, if they claim to follow Jesus and we have no reason to serious doubt their sincerity, we treat them as family – brothers and sisters in Christ. As you mention in the devotion, we may not always know the truth of everyone’s commitment to Christ.
There are those who are not yet true believers in our midst. And there are those who may even be malicious in their intentions. Since we do not always know who those people are, we do know that we should love everyone. Galatians 6, 7 – 10 is instructive, reminding us to do good to everyone, especially those who are of the household of faith.
As you mentioned in your devotion yesterday, 1 Corinthians 13: 1 – 3 calls us to love people. Matthew 5: 43 – 44 even tells us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us.
We need to be wise and discerning and to look for fruit from peoples lives and evaluate all teaching through the grid of Scripture, Jesus and the Apostles taught us to do so as seen in Scripture. But we should seek to do good to all and love all. Even discipline has the goal of restoration and seeking the best for others (Galatians 6: 1; 1 Corinthians 5: 5; James 5: 19 – 20).
We can always seek God’s intended good for another.
Rich,
Well said. I like your two-pronged approach: Inspect the fruit and seek to do good and love as God would have us love.
I was encouraged by our discussion of Ephesians 6 yesterday. That added to my understanding of a third aspect of this process: wearing God’s armor.
By keeping our eyes on Jesus, holding to the truth, his righteousness, the Gospel of peace, living in faith, trusting in his salvation, relying on the Word of God, and being constant in prayer, we remain safe. We are fully protected by our Lord, allowing us to freely and confidently do his work — loving others.
Amen
12-21-2021, 2 Peter 3:8b, How are we to look at other people in our church or other people in other churches?
We are all imperfect beings trying to serve our perfect God. At different times in my life, I have brought a new believer to church or a formal mens bible study with me. I have learned to take time and explain to this new person. Churches and formal bible studies are Christian Hospitals and First Aid stations. Everyone is there because they know they are not well and are trying to get better through Jesus Christ.
I come to Worship services knowing I am one of the sick seeking Gods help in my journey of spiritual growth. A process which will be completed when I am at last with Jesus Christ. I try to help others needing help, and avoid those who would adversely effect my progress in any way.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25
Thanks Ron!
I marvel at how the Holy Spirit is able to use any venue to God’s glory.
All good always comes in some form from the Holy Spirit. Praise God!
Amen! 🙂
All great comments. I like to think that over the past year plus I have been blessed by the wise men/women on this blog always giving me wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of Gods word even when I’m tired and it’s late. Thank you. Now I blame most of my comments on the tiredness and left over residue before I met Jesus.
How are we to look at other brothers and sisters in any church? Why are you looking to them? Why take your eyes off God? Are you looking to judge? Are you looking in jealousy and envy? Are you looking for a time and place to strike that weak spot that they guard so carefully from everyone, that spot where it would hurt them most? Or are you looking to help, love, guide, and encourage in a way to glorify God. You should be able to know why your looking beforehand. If they meet the main requirements. Romans 10:9-13 John 3:16-18, 36 Ephesians 2:8-9 so you should look at them as Gods creations made in his image saved by Grace. So look with kind loving eyes.
Parts that stood out to me in Romans 8: 28-30. Was “conformed to the image of His Son ” and “those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” I might need to seek more about being glorified when all glory goes to who really deserves it. Being conformed more like Jesus makes me smile.
Tim,
Thank you for sharing these words! The questions you ask are all the right ones. What are we looking for? What are we looking to do? Whom do we serve? Our Lord Jesus, or our own desire to be “right”?
The mature Christian asks the questions you are asking. We are not here to judge but to serve and to love.