God Uses Suffering....

To make His children humble. Paul could have bragged. Paul could have boasted. He could have seen his unique relationship with God as point of pride, but God used it to humble him. He says, however, that a thorn was given for his flesh to prevent him from being conceited (2 Corinthians 12:7). That thorn was given to Paul to kill every proud tendency that he would ever have.

God uses pain for us in a similar way. When we feel like we have reached a spiritual climax, and are convinced that we have our many blessings because we deserve them, God allows us to endure pain and suffering in order to "bring us down a notch". God requires that His servants be humble, because He "opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

To draw us to Himself. The old gospel song puts it this way, "Where could I go but to the Lord?" When we face hard times, seemingly, the default Person to turn to is God. When Paul was confronted with his thorn for the flesh, he prayed three times (2 Corinthians 12:8). Profound suffering has a positive on a Christian's private prayer life. Heavenly Father should be the first One we consult when we are facing rough times in life.

To display His grace. When life is "running smoothly", it is a temptation to have confidence in one's self. But, increased grace on God's part, increases our confindence and assirance in Him. Jesus told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:9a). God's grace proves itself when we are faced with overwhelming difficulties. When confronted with "affliction and wanderings", Jeremiah said this about God's grace, "His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning" (cf. Lamentations 3:19-23). God's grace is seen in my suffering!

Christianity - Pure and Simple

Have you ever thought about following Jesus without being a part of any denomination? If you have, you are surely not alone.

I wonder why people just don't get it. I wonder why it took me so long to "get it". I wonder why we can't understand the simple concept of following Jesus....only. Without creeds. Without traditions. Without man-made interpretations. Just Jesus. Just His Word.

For some, this idea is outrageous, if not somewhat offensive.

For some odd-ball reason, we are caught up in the idea that in order for someone to be a Christian, he must automatically be a part of some denomination. The root of this problem is what I like to call BUFFET RELIGION. It is the idea that we can simply pick and choose which religion we like, and God is pleased with such. God's Word teaches contrary to that idea though.

Twenty centuries ago, the known world was shaken by the pure religion of Christ. It was shaken by people who were just Christians. The world was not "turned upside down" by a denomination, or a man-made church. The world was tossed up by followers of Jesus. Period.

They went about preaching a revolutionary message. A message of hope, forgiveness, love, and understanding. They lived lives of purity that reflected the good news about Christ. They patiently awaited His return, and died in expectation of a glorious meeting with Him.

They did not practice BUFFET RELIGION, but simply served God from hearts that wanted to please Him. They practiced pure and undefiled religion without wavering. No creeds. No confessionals. No constitutions or conventions. No synods.

Just Christ.

Just His Word.

"Oh! If only things could be that way today!", you may say. Well, actually friend, it can be. Through a simple study of Acts, you can find people who live the same way Christians did nearly two thousand years ago. Read Acts, and identify that group of people today.

Parting Words

What would you tell your family and friends if you knew you only had two days left to live? Maybe you would encourage to obey the gospel. Maybe you would encourage them to live faithfully to the Lord and His cause. Maybe you would admonish them to always trust in God, no matter what. Peter the apostle was in a circumstance similar to the one mentioned above. He knew that the putting off of his body would be soon, so he left words for Christians to recall even after his departure from this life (2 Peter 1:14-15). In this essay, we will examine very important messages Peter left with us in his final inspired letter.

Make your calling and election sure

Peter opened his second letter assuring Christians that all things related to life and godliness has been provided through the knowledge of Jesus Christ (1:3). In this one statement, he allows us a glimpse into an underlying theme of his letter: The word of Christ is valuable and must be guarded. In God's provision of all things pertaining to life and godliness, He has made sure that His children never have to look to other sources for anything. Because of this fact, Peter admonishes believers to supplement faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love (1:5-7). He assures us that those who continue to grow in Christ will never be unfruitful or ineffective in the knowledge of Jesus, and will never fall (1:8) What assurance we have in a God-centered life! For a Christian who keeps on adding these qualities to his life, an eternal inheritance is waiting for him in heaven with God.

The Basis of Your Calling and Election: The Prophetic Word

Right off the bat, Peter makes sure that Christians understand that their faith is not based on cleverly devised stories (1:16), but on actual evidence. Peter even states that he himself was an eyewitness of the Majestic Glory of Jesus Christ on the the holy mountain. Some would have us believe though, that the Bible is just a collection of mystical fairy tales. Peter affirms the contrary! Further on, he states that the prophetic word does not originate with men, but with the Holy Spirit (1:20-21). This also reminds us of what Paul said about this very same subject (cf. 1 Cor. 2:13; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Watch out for false teachers, they will try to snatch the word out of your life

Peter informs his readers of the imminent danger of false teachers and their treacherous influence. He also assures them that there will be many who will follow after their falsehoods, ultimately being drawn away from the Master. He goes on to cite examples of those who were ungodly and were deceived into wickedness. First, he notes the angels who were sent into gloomy darkness. He then brings to mind the people of Noah's day and how they deluged. Peter then reminds us of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and how Jehovah destroyed them because of their lewdness.

In these examples though, the inspired apostle assures Christians that Noah and Lot did not give in to the pressures of ungodliness. They did, however, combat it with uprightness and faithfulness toward God. This is, my friend, very encouraging to those who are living "self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age" (Titus 2:12). Peter encourages the godly at the end of all of these sinful examples, by saying, "the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment" (2 Peter 2:9). What an awesome promise!

One of the saddest illustrations given in all the Bible is found in this short letter. After addressing the despicable situation of those who are ungodly, Peter introduces a special group of people. He describes them as those who have escaped the defilements of the world, but have become entangled in them once again. He says the, "last state has become worse for them than the first" (2:20). Peter continues,

For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire" (2:21-22).

What a sad condition! Imagine inheriting a mansion, but returning to a shack. What lack of wisdom and appreciation! This is the state of Christians who have been obtained by the blood of Jesus, but refuse to live therein. May we never return to our former desires!

The day of judgment IS coming


Peter ends his final letter by reminding us all of the coming judgment (3:1-3). In this chapter, he discusses those who scoff at the coming of Christ by saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation". Peter responds to their nonsense by stating, "the earth was formed out of water and through waterby the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly" (3:4-6).

Peter reveals that many will see ETERNAL DESTRUCTION at the return of the Lord. He also brings out the point that instead of scoffing at the coming of Jesus, we should consider His patience as salvation, because God wants all people to reach repentance (3:8-9). After discussing the fact that the earth and all it contains will be dissolved, this important question is posed: WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE OUGHT YOU TO BE IN LIVES OF HOLINESS AND GODLINESS? (3:11b).

So, the wise apostle of the Lord concludes his letter with words of admonition, encouragement, and praise:

"You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. So be it!"