Mercy

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:4-9 (day four)

Peter is writing what are likely some of his last words from prison before his death. When you’re near death, you focus on communicating what is most important, not mere opinions or fantastical possibilities. Peter writes about the judgement and justice of God, and he describes it as both a fact and a promise. Paul writes in a similar way just before his death in 2 Timothy 4:1, and he invokes the judgement and justice of God when encouraging Timothy to be faithful to his ministry.

I don’t think they write in this way because their impending death is making them vengeful, but because they know more than anyone that they are sinners who deserve God’s wrath, but through Christ they have received mercy. Their walk with Christ has made them more aware of the magnitude of God’s love and sacrifice that covers their sin, making them recipients of grace rather than the judgement they deserve.

Peter makes it clear: God is a God of justice, and it is only through Christ’s mercy that we have cause to celebrate this.