Tag Archives: book of 2 Peter

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV)

One of my favorite definitions of a cynic was offered by Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), who said: “These days man knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing.”

On this eve of our celebration of the birth of Jesus, some people see only a historical fact; when it was an “all in” commitment by God for the rescue of every person He had ever created.

On such occasions as this one — whether it be Easter, or the anniversary of our own birth — are we as cognizant of the value of God’s commitment to us as we are of the apparent “cost” of holiness?

Once we begin to grasp the meaning of the words of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. . .”, the value of God’s gift makes any price we might pay pale in comparison.  – Luther

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“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18, NIV)

The last verse of the final chapter of Peter’s letters to the exiled Christians contains the admonition to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Christ.

An applicable definition of Grace is “unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.” 

To grow in grace means that things that once frustrated us no longer have the power to frustrate. It means that the things that once distracted us no longer have the power to distract. It means the things that once provoked us to react in an unseemly manner no longer provoke. To grow in grace is to become more like our heavenly Father — with His assistance!

Remember, with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)  – Luther

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“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:2, NIV)

Peter begins his second letter to the exiled Christians with a message that serves both as a reminder and a blessing: The knowledge of the Father and the Son brings grace and peace in abundance.

It serves as a blessing, because everyone wants peace.

It serves as a reminder because in our materialistic society we may soon forget that money cannot purchase peace; in our celebrity-focused culture we may soon forget that fame cannot deliver peace; and in our competitive, “take no prisoners” approach to every challenge we may soon forget that God personally opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Indeed, knowledge of the Father and the Son assures grace in our time of need; and peace in every circumstance.  – Luther

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