Author: Megan Langan

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:10-16 (day four)

We’re bombarded with news headlines about the latest tragedies of the world. When we’re taking in a constant stream of information about violence, political tension, and cultural upset, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of it all. The world is heavy, sin is real, and tragedy is all around us. When we add that to our own trauma, fears, and concerns, it can almost be too much to bear.

When Peter brings up Balaam, Noah, and Lot, he’s reminding us that sin and violence are ancient. The issues we face in this life are not new; they are ancient problems with a fresh coat of paint that we can trace all the way back to Genesis. But he’s also reminding us that God’s justice is ancient as well. It existed before sin entered the world and it is sure and steadfast.

God’s justice is eternal. If it prevailed in the lives of Balaam, Noah, and Lot, it will prevail in our lives too. Our faith is anchored in the Ancient of Days, and this allows us to face the world without fear.

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.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:1-3 (day four)

It can be easy to identify false teachings that others believe in. It’s not too hard from where we sit to say “such and such church” or “such and such pastor” has fallen prey to false teachings. And it is good to recognize them as false. What is harder, though, is to engage in personal reflection and ask the question, “Where am I vulnerable to false teachings? What have I taken as fact that is actually a cultural influence, not a biblical truth? Where have my own bents towards sin allowed me to believe something untrue?”

Peter calls us to recognize our own vulnerabilities and asks that we pray in the spirit of Psalm 139, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 1:16-21 (day four)

The longer we live on this earth, the more we long for the return of Jesus. With each passing day, we become more fully aware of the darkness of this world and long for the day where “there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 22:5)

Peter reminds us that though that day is still in the future, we’ve been given a great light now. Through the testimony of the apostles and the prophets, which is the Word of God, we have been given a lamp to shine in a dark place. When we encounter this light, it awakes something in us to respond. We want to share this light with anyone who will see it. When we encounter the Word, we become like David, who proclaims in Psalm 57, “Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.”

Awaken the dawn in someone else’s life by sharing this light with them.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 1:12-15 (day four)

Was there something your parents or grandparents would say to you over and over again as you were growing up? Advice or instructions that they repeated, no matter how many times you told them you understood? While that repeated advice might have irritated us when we were young, it certainly sticks with us. As we age, those repeated instructions from loved ones become part of our core memories of them, and we often find their advice did sink in and helped form us into who we are.

Peter says, “I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them…” He doesn’t do this to be patronizing, or to beat them over the head with advice. He does this because he knows that the more he repeats these things, the deeper they will sink into people’s hearts. Peter knew that the aim of the Christian life was to become like Christ, so he repeatedly told those under his care how to do so. His words didn’t just impact the people he wrote and ministered to; it impacted the entire church throughout history. We are being formed by his repeated advice even today. Will you let it sink into your heart and form who you are?

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 1:8-11  (day four)

Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you…

Peter is not saying that we earn our salvation through diligence, knowledge, or kindness. Many of us have tried to earn and secure our salvation through performing enough good works, leading enough Bible studies, or going on another missions trip. That will fail every time, because that is not the system God designed. We receive salvation by grace through faith, through no righteousness of our own. It is a merciful gift from Jesus that we cannot earn.

In response to this gift, though, we are called to a life of goodness and godliness displayed in our speech, actions, and inner life. Every time we grow in diligence, or provide moral excellence, or increase our knowledge of God, we are confirming God’s work in us. Every time we exercise self-control or choose perseverance in the faith, it’s like we’re shouting “Amen! Jesus saved me!” Every expression of brotherly kindness and love are really a cry of “Hallelujah! I’ve been set free!” We do these things out of celebration for the gift of salvation.

When we grow in these things, our life becomes one big “Amen! I have been redeemed!” for all to hear.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 1:1-4  (day four)

We have been given everything we need for life and godliness. This doesn’t come in the form of a starter pack or tool shed with every tool imaginable – it comes through the Spirit who dwells in us. Because we have the Spirit, we have constant access to the One who formed us and the world for his glory. The Spirit is transforming us more and more into the likeness of Christ, taking us from glory to glory. This is such great assurance, especially on our darkest days. We have access to the ever-flowing fountain (Jeremiah 2:13) whose waters will not be cut off. As we continue to live in the Spirit and form a greater awareness of Christ’s presence with us, our life will become an ever-growing testimony that we truly have all we need through him.