April 5 – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 – Boast in the Lord

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 

Sometimes it's easy to believe that God called us because we have a special gift or a talent. The thing is … God calls us in spite of what we believe to be our gifts and talents.

The church in Corinth was a mess. They were splitting apart and Paul has only begun to discuss their failings. There weren't very many wise or powerful people among them and that was exactly Paul's point.

The call that God places on our lives has absolutely nothing to do with us. It has everything to do with God. It is God who initiates salvation and it is God who puts us to work. Everything that we do on our own is foolishness and when we choose to work without being in God's will, we can never have any confidence that plans will succeed.

God chose the foolish and the weak, the low and despised so that no one could boast in themselves. It is so easy for us to desire to see ourselves as important in the kingdom of God, when in reality, He wants us to become nothing so that the only one who receives praise is God.

It is because of God that we have salvation … righteousness, sanctification and redemption. We have received that through Jesus Christ, not because of anything that we have done or because of how talented or gifted we are.

God chooses the foolish, the weak, the low and despised. That's hard for us to understand and even harder for us to accept. When we boast, we can only boast in the Lord.

April 4 – 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 – Christ is God's Wisdom and Power

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 

         “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”  

Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Much as we have today, the Corinthian Christians were more apt to trust in the wisdom of those around them than they were in that of God. This was part of the reason for all of the dissension in their community. They played games just like the political games that were happening in the city.

It is interesting, but as I read through this passage, I find that today's culture is quite similar to that of the Greeks … and of so many others throughout history. Paul was speaking to the Corinthians, but these words are so desperately applicable today … especially to Christians.

In Greece, the individual's pursuit of intellect and strength was valued above nearly anything else. They spent time discussing intellectual pursuits and when they took time off from that, they pursued physical greatness. If they had lived in the 21st century, they would have developed faster computers so they could spend time at the gymnasium. Sound familiar?

But the cross of Christ, the power of the resurrection was seen as foolishness to the outside world and to those who believed, they recognized it for what it was – the power of God.

The message of salvation is impossible to understand for those who look for it in their learned wisdom. You can't understand it by becoming more and more educated or by looking at it from a philosophical standpoint. The world doesn't come to know God through wisdom … it is the simple message that draws humanity to God. It is a very simple message … the Gospel … Christ crucified. The Jews couldn't understand it and Gentiles saw it as foolishness.

To those who believed … to those who believe today, this simple message is Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.

April 3 – 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 – Division

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Christian communities are often easily divided. We take sides based on what we believe to be true and who we believe to be the best representative of those things with which we agree. In some churches it is a building campaign that creates division, in some churches it is the style of worship. Other times it is the way money is or is not being spent, and sometimes it is about what the pastor preaches on any given Sunday. Maybe it's the pastor's family or the color of carpet being put down in the foyer. It could be a new sound system or refurbishing the education wing. The pianist plays too loudly on Sunday mornings or the high school Sunday School class is too noisy in their classroom.

There is always something in place which will bring about division and separation and Paul reminds the readers of this letter of the importance of unity. For the sake of Jesus Christ, the things that we say to each other outside the church is of utmost importance. We should be in unity so that people are drawn to Jesus. Chaos among the community of believers is never a good evangelical tool, even if we believe that we are justified in our words and actions. We are never justified if we portray Jesus Christ to the world in a bad light.

As important as that is the need for there to be no division among Christ's church. In the Corinthian church, people were taking sides against each other by proclaiming that they followed different leaders. The most self-righteous of them disclaimed Paul, Apollos and Peter by claiming that they only followed Jesus.

Paul speaks to the absurdity of the divisions in the church at Corinth. He is not responsible for their salvation. He is not their savior. Baptism was not what he did, he came only to preach the gospel. Everything Paul did pointed to the cross of Christ and for the Corinthians to reduce that to political camps disgusted him.

April 2 – 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 – Thanksgiving

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul tells the Corinthians that he always thanks God for them. In other words, he didn't simply sit down to write a letter to them and all of a sudden spend a few moments in prayer. His love for the people of the Church continuously brings them to mind. As we dig further into this letter and see how much the church in Corinth has misunderstood the gifts they have received from God, it might seem odd that Paul is so thankful, but he goes on to explain that it is because of God's grace given to them in Jesus, not their goodness or lack thereof.

In each verse of this passage, the name of Jesus is lifted up (in verse 5, it is simply the pronoun 'him'). Through Jesus, God has given, enriched, confirmed, sustained and called. It is in Christ Jesus that Christians are in fellowship with each other and with God.

The wealth of Corinth was extraordinary and in this salutation, Paul begins by telling his readers that they are made rich in Jesus Christ. This is very different from what they would experience as part of their every day lives. When the focus is on ever-increasing wealth, Paul diverts it, telling the Corinthian church that the spiritual gifts fill their lives.  They are eloquent (all kinds of speech) and have great spiritual insight (all knowledge). The spiritual wealth poured out on them by God far outweighs the material wealth they know so well.

On the other hand, Paul is about to teach them about the misuse of their spiritual wealth. They have been given great gifts in order to build up the community of faith, but many used those as weapons, rather than mediating them with love.

God called the people of Corinth and gave them grace. He sustained them as they waited for the coming of Jesus and promises to keep them to the end. God is faithful. He will complete the work that he began in each of them … and in each of us.

April 1 – 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

1 Corinthians 1:1-3 – Greeting

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 

To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: 

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul identifies himself in this letter much as he did in his letter to the Romans by identifying himself as an apostle called by God. He was not called by any church or by any person, but his work is done by the will of God. This is an incredible burden that he has accepted. There is no room for personal ambition or a worldly agenda. It is God's will that causes Paul to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is all-encompassing and all-important.

Sosthenes shows up in Acts 18:12-17. He was the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth and was seized and beaten in the presence of Gallio, the Roman governor because he refused to move against Paul, even though the Jews brought Paul in front of a tribunal for his teaching. Paul calls him a brother now. Sosthenes became a convert to Christianity.

Corinth was a wealthy city. Legend tells us that this was where Jason's Argo was built. It was destroyed in 146 B.C., but because of its location on an isthmus that connected Greece to the Peloponnesus, Julius Caesar rebuilt it in 46 B.C. and soon became one of the greatest cities in Greece. It was a commercial hub; bringing in trade from the north, south, east and the west. Its population was quite mixed and was very cosmopolitan.

The Temple of Aphrodite was located in Corinth; one thousand sacred prostitutes worked from there. It is said that every person in Greece knew what a Corinthian girl was; the city was known for debauchery and depravity. Sin prevailed in this city and Paul's letter on holiness seems quite necessary and appropriate.

Paul came to Corinth on his second missionary journey. We read of his time here and the founding of the church from the home of Aquila and Priscilla and from the local synagogue in Acts 18:1-17. Paul stood in that synagogue and taught of Jesus as the Messiah. When he was forced out of the synagogue, he simply moved next door to the home of Titus Justus and continued to preach. At the end of 18 months, he finished in Corinth and returned to Jerusalem.

Paul wrote his letter to the Romans while staying in Corinth, but this letter was written while he was in Ephesus, probably about A.D. 55.  This church is on the front lines and Paul writes to them as a teacher; one who cares very much for them. He offers practical ways to act as the Church in the midst of sin.

March 31 - 2 Peter 3:14-18

2 Peter 3:14-18 – Grow in Grace

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Peter uses the phrase "make every effort" several times in his letters. This is an intense effort … made with haste and with zeal. Sometimes I believe we would all understand scripture better if we had a clear understanding of the power behind the Greek text, because there are so many possibilities that open up once you read the author's words, rather than an English translation. Other times, the translation is helpful because it lends hundreds of years of scholarship to a particularly difficult interpretation.

However, when we read 'make every effort,' we skip over it. There isn't much impact. But Peter wants us to be zealous about holiness. He urges us to hurry and push forward to a life that finds us to be spotless, blameless and at peace with God. It isn't something to put off until tomorrow or until we die.

In the time of Constantine, baptism wasn't performed on a person until they were close to death because it was believed that if you were to sin after having been baptized, you would never be able to return to a life of holiness. The problem with that thinking was that a person could live as they wished throughout their lives and then be cleansed of all their sin when death approached. They didn't read scripture with quite the same interpretation that we do today. Peter tells us that we are to live in holiness right now and with great zeal.

Peter's quick comment regarding the letters of Paul is actually quite exciting to historians. This does tell us that Paul's letters were circulated throughout the churches. Paul writes to the church at Colossae, "And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea" (Colossians 4:16). Paul asked that his letters be shared, but this is the first piece of solid evidence that those letters were shared and that the early Church was building itself on the work of the people who were spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We all know that there are people who will never understand our passion for scripture or for the message of God's saving grace. Peter admonishes us to not get caught up in that, but to hold on to that message for our own stability. Be on your guard.

And grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. John 17:3 says, "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" and Paul writes to the Ephesians: "…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him" (Ephesians 1:17).

Peter opened this letter by saying, "May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (2 Peter 1:2).

Growing in grace binds us in the relationship we have with God. Growing in knowledge of Jesus is absolutely essential for us to live as Christians.

March 30 - 2 Peter 3:8-13

2 Peter 3:8-13 – The Day is Coming

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. 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.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.  

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.  That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Quoting from Psalm 90:4, Peter responds to those who mock the delay of Christ's return. God's perspective is quite different from anything a person could ever understand. He sees time through the lens of eternity, we see only by the limitations of our own short years. Even the grand scheme of history is but a moment in the vast panoramic timeline that God knows. We must not presume to understand what God will do and when He will do it.

To those same mockers, Peter reminds us of God's grace toward humanity. He is exceedingly patient with us.

"The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness," (Exodus 34:6)

"The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression" (Numbers 14:18).

"But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Psalm 86:15).

"Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4)

When the Lord returns, his anger will finally destroy sin, no matter the form that it takes. This is why He takes the time that He takes … He wants everyone to find repentance. He has boundless patience.

Peter then offers a challenge to all of us. Knowing that complete destruction … dissolution … is coming, he asks what type of people ought we be?  Since God comes to destroy sin – we should live holy and righteous … godly lives.

Holiness – remaining separate from evil, dedicating ourselves to God. Godliness includes worship.

We are to remain holy and godly … praying for the coming day of God, not because of destruction of sin, but because we are waiting for the new heavens and a new earth.

Do you pray for the Lord's return?

March 29 - 2 Peter 3:1-7

2 Peter 3:1-7 – The Day of the Lord

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. 

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

Peter does a few interesting things in this letter, things that we might not realize are so important. In his first letter, the emphasis was holiness. Peter encourages his readers to be more than what the world expects, to be whole and complete, because that is what we are in Christ Jesus. The problem we have as broken people, is that we forget that and still respond to the world as though we are in pieces.

Wholesome thinking, he says. As our minds think, so go our actions. In today's culture, it is easy to live in anger and brokenness. We are self-centered enough to believe that our thoughts and desires should all be met and that life must be fair. Jesus calls us to something greater than that – to focus on him alone, rather than our own needs and the actions of others. He makes us whole, having our thoughts on him is what brings us health and righteousness. We can't do it on our own, we can't live a life that meets the needs of the world and still be holy.

The next thing that Peter does is to emphasize the continuity of scripture. He wants us to recall the words spoken in the past, the command given by Jesus … through the apostles. This is the tether, the tie that binds us throughout history to moment of creation. God's word has been made real through the people of Israel to the disciples who followed Jesus Christ.

Peter's next bit of preaching is to those who question the truth of Jesus' return. The earth and the heavens have been here for millennia and nothing has changed. But, he says that the one thing we forget is that there was that moment when God spoke creation into existence. That changed everything. And by that same word, God is preparing for the day of judgment. We should not be so arrogant as to believe that we have things in control and that just because God is waiting, doesn't mean it won't happen.

Be prepared for the day of judgment. It will come.

March 28 - 2 Peter 2:17-22

2 Peter 2:17-22 – Springs Without Water

These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”

In the Gospel of John, Jesus removes thirst from everyone who drinks of the water he gives them. He points to eternity and says, "The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14b). In John 7:37-38, Jesus stood up and said, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' "

Proverbs 13:14 says that "The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death." Water is a wonderful metaphor for the spirit moving out from us, a never ending, joyous outpouring.

Peter knows this analogy well and tells his readers that false teachers are springs without water. They are mists driven by a storm. Jeremiah uses the analogy of dried up wells to describe those who have forsaken God. He says, "Her nobles send their servants for water; they come to the cisterns; they find no water; they return with their vessels empty; they are ashamed and confounded and cover their heads" (Jeremiah 14:3).

Though their words carry no depth, they can harm those who listen to them. They promise freedom, even as they are enslaved by corruption. How often do we fall into the trap of looking for something where there is nothing. We want free airplane tickets or a free computer tablet or tickets to Disney and discover that all we've done is given someone access to our lives and to our friends. We look for freedom and answers, we latch on to diets and money-making schemes, we put our trust in false teachers rather than God … looking for something that is easy, rather than someone that is eternal.

These false teachers would have been better off if they had never been exposed to the good news of Jesus Christ. They knew joy and freedom, chose to leave it behind, and then found it necessary to expose others to their filth. Those who have been drawn away from the Gospel are just as bad, their weakness in returning to the ease of trusting in false teachers will make it that much more difficult for them to return to the holiness that comes from knowing God.

The final verse of this chapter brings up familiar images. Dogs and pigs were both scavengers during the time of Jesus. Garbage was fed to pigs and dogs were not pets, but scavenged through the garbage for food. Both return to the mire of what they have always known … just as those who leave righteousness for their former lives.

The spring of living water must not go dry within us.

March 27 - 2 Peter 2:10-16

2 Peter 2:10-16

This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. 
Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.

They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.  With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

First, false teachers despise authority and follow corrupt desires.  They are bold and arrogant and will even slander celestial beings.  Peter assures us that not only are they brute beasts, but they are ignorant.  They don't even know what it is that they are talking about!  Wycliffe says 'their self-assurance was matched by their ignorance.'  Paul speaks of this type of people in Colossians 2:18.

Because of the ease of access we have in this day and age to all manner of insanity, both in the news and through our social media networks, we often feel as if we are assaulted on all sides by these false teachers.  We are over-exposed to their slanderous talk and often believe that the only thing we can do is combat it. We often lower ourselves to their level, saying and writing things that are unacceptable.

Look at what Peter says. Even the angels who are stronger and more powerful, do not return abuse when they deliver judgment.

We must understand that we can't change their minds, we can't fix their accusations and we can't expect them to live differently than they do. We do not have the power. It is in God's hands and his alone.

2 Peter 2:13 speaks of people who attend Christian events and then carouse, living a life that is completely different than the one they live while chatting it up in church!  When Peter speaks of a feast, he is speaking of the family-type gatherings that Christians had regularly.

But there is more to come with regards to their bad behavior. They never stop sinning.  Their eyes are adulterous, they seduce the unstable, they are experts in greed, and they love the payment they get for wickedness.  When I was in business, it was always a challenge to be above board and honest. Dishonesty happened all around us.  The business world is not an easy place to be a Christian. Too many Christian business people find themselves easily swayed by the easy dollar.  It's much too simple to take a shortcut and charge the higher price ... Peter condemns these actions!

Even though Peter's condemnation of sinful behavior is strong, it still doesn't change the fact that this will continue to occur until Christ's return. We want justice while we are earthbound, while God sees justice occurring on a much larger scale. We want God to fix this world and stop these people from having control. God knows that this behavior isn't new; it has been around since the beginning of civilization.

We need to behave more like his angels who refuse to heap abuse on those God judges. Our only task as Christians is to love … unconditionally. It isn't up to us to deliver judgment. It isn't up to us to ensure that morality is found on earth.

Peter assures us that God's judgment will prevail over evil and sinful behavior.

Just as he dealt with Balaam, whose donkey forced him back on the path toward holiness, God deals with each person in this world. We must remain on the straight path, aligning our lives with God's will.

March 26 - 2 Peter 2:4-9

2 Peter 2:4-9 – A History Lesson

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless  (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

Peter is about to deliver a very clear picture of God's ability to judge between the righteous and the wicked.  If you read Jude 3-8, you will find much of the same language.  The if ... then statements are summed up in 2 Peter 2:9.  The Lord knows how to rescue godly men and He knows to hold the unrighteous for the Day of Judgment, while continuing their punishment.

The angels that sinned.  We read about fallen angels in Job 4:18, Matthew 25:41, Jude 6 and Revelation 12:9.  Jude and Revelation both speak of the archangel Michael, who led the battle against the dragon (Satan) and his angels in Revelation 12:7-8.

God didn't spare the ancient world filled with ungodly people, but he did separate Noah and his family to protect them.

He condemned Sodom and Gomorrah, but rescued Lot, a righteous man.  And don't you love 2 Peter 2:8?  'that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard.'  Some days, after watching the news, I feel like that. Not that I'm proclaiming myself particularly righteous.  But, we live among such filth and we are expected to maintain a sense of godliness through it. God rewards that!

In 2 Peter 2:9, the word 'terein,' which is translated in the NIV as 'holding the unrighteous for the day of judgment,' actually means that God is keeping them under guard.

False teachers and prophets, ungodly men and women, sinful angels and those who deliberately reject God's commands face an eternity of punishment. We can hope for something better and ignore the fact that it is coming, but Peter wants us to understand that God will punish the unjust and the ungodly. He will also rescue the righteous.

March 25 - 2 Peter 2:1-3

2 Peter 2:1-3 – False Prophets

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

These words are quite disturbing. It is so easy for us to be taken in and caught up in false teaching.  In fact, sometimes it is nearly impossible to discern what is truth and what is false.

Social media bombards us with tales and stories that often require research to uncover their truth. But, we don't have something that black and white to stop most false teachers and prophets.  Teaching is wrapped up in the guise of truth and many times it is wrapped in a beautiful bow that entices us into desiring that their words be truth.

We've seen cults destroy themselves as their leaders tried to introduce teachings and then fall apart. In fact, we've seen many evangelical pastors lose sight of the goal and turn the importance of the story of Jesus into a personal greedy goal.  Peter assures us that their destruction will be swift.

I don't know that Peter is speaking of Christians who get caught up in something and find themselves spinning out of control as we've seen many evangelical leaders do over the last few decades.  This is a more insidious, deliberate attack on Christianity.  But, the enemy will use any way possible to get people to follow the lie and his false teaching.

What is one of the outcomes of false teaching?  The way of truth is brought into disrepute. Hypocrisy among Christians is one of the biggest reasons that non-Christians offer for not wanting to become a part of the church.  Who can blame them? Christianity, the church, everything about this has been turned into a business and many times not a very 'Christian' one at that.  So, when an honest person shows up, wanting to spread the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, he (or she) must wade through the built-up sludge of lies and destructive heresies.

This is not an easy time to be a Christian. We are not facing direct persecution on a daily basis, but we do face the effects of allowing false prophets and false teachers among us.

In 2 Peter 2:3, the NIV says that 'these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.'  Other translations read 'feigned words.'  The Greek word for this phrase is 'plastos.'  We get our word 'plastic' from that.  Words that can easily be twisted. They twist these words to fill their greed. Paul writes of the same thing in 1 Thessalonians 2:5, "You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness," when assuring his readers that he was different from others.  In the Old Testament, Micah called them out by saying, "Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, her priests instruct for a price, and her prophets divine for money."  (Micah 3:11).

We don't have to pronounce judgment on these people, Peter says that "their condemnation has long been hanging over them ..." (2 Peter 2:3b).  But we do have to be constantly on the alert.

March 24 - 2 Peter 1:19-21

2 Peter 1:19-21 – Prophets

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

At the end of the passage that we read yesterday, Peter spoke of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus ensured that Peter, James and John saw the glory of the living Presence of God.  Peter is about to teach about a false teacher, but before he gets there, he wants us to know that he is preaching truth.  Those 'cleverly devised stories' of 2 Peter 1:16 were not used to tell us about the power and coming of Jesus, but Peter was a witness and the prophets told of those things.

Pay attention to prophecy, he says. It is a light shining in a dark place. Psalm 119:105 say that God's Word is a "lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Peter goes on to write that we are to hold to the Word 'until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.' (2 Peter 1:19b)

Numbers 24:17 says "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel."

And we read in Revelation 22:16 that Jesus is the bright morning star.

After the dawn of the morning star - scripture will no longer be needed.  Understand this - it's beautiful!  Scripture shines as a light until the coming of the dawn.  That's what Peter is saying.  Jesus is the Word made flesh.  Jesus is the morning star. We will no longer need scripture with the dawn of the morning star. We will have entered the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:23 says "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light ... and the Lamb is its lamp."

Remember what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10?  "But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears."

2 Peter 1:20-21 gives us more information about these prophecies. Firstly, the prophet did not make them up on his own and secondly, they came from God through the Holy Spirit.

The prophecies that are a light shining in a dark place are God's Words to us ... love letters, if you will.  A promise that Jesus will return. A light to encourage our hope in the darkness.

March 23 - 2 Peter 1:12-18

2 Peter 1:12-18 – We Knew Jesus

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. 

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”  We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

In John 21:18-19, Jesus tells Peter that he will die a martyr's death. We find Peter acknowledging that this is going to happen soon in these verses (2 Peter 1:12-15). He wants to make sure that things are put into place so that his readers are able to remember the truths that he has spent the better part of his life teaching. Some scholars believe that 2 Peter 1:15 indicates that he spent time recounting his memories to Mark so that the Gospel would be written.

False prophets and teachers used myths and stories to emphasize their teaching. Peter clearly states in 2 Peter 1:16 that the stories he relates are true because he was an eyewitness.  Paul used the same terminology in dealing with false prophets in 1 Tim. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4 and Tit. 1:14.

One of Peter's favorite memories had to have been the Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-13). Jesus ensured that Peter, James and John were allowed to witness the glory of heaven so that they could relate the story to others on earth ... as witnesses and participants.

Non-Biblical sources are used to make suppositions regarding Peter's life in Rome and his death. However, these sources are generally accepted as historical.  Josephus (AD 37 - AD 100) wrote two major works which describe Judaism and early Christianity, St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Clement of Rome, St. Ireneaus of Lyons all spoke of Peter - that he and Paul were the founders of the church in Rome. Josephus wrote of how Roman soldiers entertained themselves by crucifying men in varying positions, which affirms the possibility of Peter's crucifixion being upside down.

Tradition holds that Peter fled from Rome to avoid execution, but in a vision/conversation with Jesus, was told that he (Jesus) was going to Rome to be crucified again, so Peter turned around and went back to Rome to meet his death.

He would have been murdered by Nero between 64 and 68 AD. On October 13, 64 AD, Nero celebrated the 10th Anniversary of his ascendancy to the throne. This holiday was generally celebrated with much bloodshed and came three months after the fire which Nero blamed on the Christians, hoping to eliminate many of them in the aftermath.  This may have been a good time for Nero to execute one of the great leaders of the Christian faith.

All of the stories, all of the traditions are interesting information, but what we actually know of Peter is that he as a man who knew Jesus intimately and his purpose in life was fulfilled as he taught people how to come to know his own Savior personally.

March 22 - 2 Peter 1:3-11

2 Peter 1:3-11 – You are Called

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Sometimes I have a very bad habit of skimming over scripture and missing important thoughts because I do that. This is one of those passages. Before we get going too deeply, I want you to have the words from 1 Peter 2:10 clearly anchored:  "make every effort to confirm your calling and election."

Now, let's start at the beginning of the passage. We have everything we need given to us and then the next bit barely makes sense, unless you spend some time with it.  'through our knowledge of him' (NIV) is probably more easily translated to 'through our acknowledgement of him.'  So, as we acknowledge or know Jesus, we have everything we need for life and godliness given to us by His divine power.

The last part of this sentence speaks of our calling.  We don't learn about or gain knowledge or come to acknowledge Jesus on our own, but because Jesus called us.   He took the initiative in this relationship.  And it is by his glory and goodness - that is - it is based on His own honor and excellence, that we are called. Peter makes it very clear that this has nothing to do with an action or activity on our own part.

In 2 Peter 1:4 we find Peter talking about Jesus' very great and precious promises.  What are these promises?  The word (epangelmata) used here for 'promise' is only used in this letter in the New Testament. The other place that it is found is in 2 Peter 3:13.  Peter opens and closes his letter with a rare word and this emphasizes its importance. The Greek word used here focuses on the content of the promise more than on the promise itself.  While Peter doesn't offer us the exact content yet, we will discover more about this in the second usage of the term.

What it does do is point us to the benefits of the calling: participation in the divine nature, which in essence means that we are more like God than like humanity - which reminds us of Peter's declaration that we are aliens and strangers in this world; and escape from the corruption in the world which is an ongoing process as we walk in this world.

2 Peter 1:5-7 begins a list of virtues that we are to build upon as we grow in knowledge of Jesus Christ. There are three other lists of virtues in the New Testament. We know of the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23, but we can also find lists in Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:3-4.  Some of these cross lists, but some are individual to the writer.

What we can't miss here is the way that this list is put together.  In essence, we must spend some faith to gain goodness; we must spend goodness to gain knowledge; we must spend knowledge to gain self-control; we must spend self-control to gain perseverance; we must spend perseverance to gain godliness; we must spend godliness to gain brotherly kindness; and we must spend brotherly kindness to gain love.  There is expense and effort involved in growing virtuously.  It isn't something that God just lays on us. So, by growing in virtue, our lives in Christ will be fruitful.

God has called and chosen us.  He alone can do this, but for those who think that you can simply live without any type of growth in the virtues of the Christian life, Peter wants us to know that we have a responsibility.

Living a virtuous life will stop us from falling (stumbling) into sin.

You are called and chosen. You have a responsibility, but it will take some work - it won't be easy.  The reward? Eternal life in Christ's kingdom.

March 21 - 2 Peter 1:1-2

2 Peter 1:1-2 – Greetings

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, 

To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Peter took Matthew 23:11 quite seriously since he was obviously the leader of Jesus' followers after the Resurrection.  As we read the early chapters of Acts, we see that Peter steps forward in the head position of the group of followers that seems to be growing exponentially.  So, in 2 Peter 1:1, he not only identifies himself as an apostle, but as a servant of Christ.  The lesson was learned.

The use of the word 'servant' here is translated from the Greek word 'doulos,' which actually means 'slave.' The term describes a person who is totally owned by and devoted to Jesus Christ.  Even as a leader … one of the original Twelve, Peter signifies he is nothing except as he is related to Christ.  Peter's authority is not his own, it comes because he belongs to Jesus Christ.

If you compare this to 1 Peter, you will find several 'letter' components missing.  There are no personal greetings and no thanksgiving (which occurs in 1 Peter 1:3) and there is no blessing of the recipients. This letter is more like a sermon or a speech which is transmitted as a letter.

However, 2 Peter and the letter from Jude contain portions that are nearly identical.  I will make every attempt to point out to you the parallel passages between the two letters as we work through this.  Today, as you read 2 Peter 1:1-2, read Jude 1-2 as well. The opening portions are very similar.

Then, read Jude 3 and notice that he speaks of the faith of the saints, while Peter writes of the faith that we have. This faith is granted through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.  Notice here that this is one person. Peter does not distinguish here between two separate persons. In many translations, and in the original Greek, it comes forth as 'our God and Savior Jesus Christ.'  Profound theology.

In 2 Peter 1:2, we find one of the main themes of this letter. Knowledge. Peter insists that this is very important. This is the knowledge that we gain upon conversion to Christianity.  It isn't just an intellectual knowledge or simply knowing someone upon meeting them, but knowledge that results in a difference in our living.

While 1 Peter focused on holiness, we will find that we have a lot to learn about living a life in the fullness of glory. This second letter has plenty to say to us about knowing God and understanding the things of faith.

March 20 - 1 Peter 5:12-14

1 Peter 5:12-14 – Final Greetings

With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 

She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 

Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

As we come to a close in this first letter of Peter's we meet some of the people who are close to him.

Silas, or Silvanus, is more than likely the same man that was a companion of Paul's and participated in much of the growth of the early church.  It is likely that he not only assisted Peter with writing this letter, but delivered it as well.  Peter calls him a faithful brother, which probably means that he was quite familiar to the people reading this letter.

We meet Silas in Acts 15:22 and read about his ministry with Paul through Acts 18:5.  He assisted Paul and Timothy in writing the two letters to the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 1:1-2, 2 Thess. 1:2) and was obviously a part of Paul's ministry to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 1:19).  This man of faith had a strong evangelistic ministry.

At the end of 1 Peter 5:12, we find that he repeats the message of grace that he began teaching at the beginning of the letter (1 Peter 1:2b). He calls us to stand firm in the message of grace. That message is found all through the letter, but spelled out clearly in 1 Peter 1:8, 21.

Stand firm in this message of holiness.

Scholars are unsure as to whom Peter is speaking of – the woman at Babylon. Some assume that he is speaking of his wife.  She traveled with him, was well-known to his readers and tradition says that she was martyred in Rome before he was.  The 'Mark' that is spoken of here is more than likely John Mark, who authored the second gospel. Most believe that Mark's gospel is actually Peter's gospel; he wrote down the things that Peter remembered about Jesus' time on earth.

The second meaning of the woman in Babylon is that Peter is speaking of the church - the word 'ekklesia' is a feminine noun. If this is so, then it is likely that Peter was already in Rome.  Babylon was a term used to describe this city, though that is also disputed. He would have been sending greetings to the Asiatic churches from the home church there.  History shows that Peter was in Rome at the end of his life and Col. 4:10 also places Mark there at the same time.

The NIV version of the Bible translates 1 Peter 5:14 as 'Greet one another with a kiss of love,' yet the original meaning here is 'holy or divine kiss.' The Greek word is 'agape,' which is the love that comes from god. This greeting was common among New Testament Christians (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26).

Peter concludes this letter with prayers for peace for those Christians who are persecuted. Jesus said "My leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives." (John 14:27a)

Greet each other with a divine kiss.  Love and holiness cannot be separated.

March 19 - 1 Peter 5:8-11

1 Peter 5:8-11 – Be Alert

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

After you read these verses, turn to Luke 22:31-32.

Peter knew something about Satan messing with you.  He had definitely been devoured by Satan when he denied even knowing Jesus, but since he had come through it, he also learned a lesson in resisting him.

This verse doesn't actually give us the full image that the Greek text is expressing.  Peter wants us to imagine a courtroom as we read this.  Remember, he has been telling his readers to hold up under persecution.  If the accusations against you are false, stand firm, be respectful, etc.

Now, he finally arrives at the courtroom scene after all of the information he has put into this letter and assumes that we are dealing with persecution simply because we are Christians, not because we have done anything wrong.

Be self-controlled and alert.  The original Greek actually translates to 'calm' and 'watchful.'

I'm a huge fan of the old black and white Perry Mason shows.  There were two things you could always count on when he was in the courtroom.  He never showed his emotions (he was calm) and he was always ready to pick up on the errors coming from witnesses or the prosecution (he was watchful).

'Your enemy; comes from the Greek word 'antidikos' which means adversary - in the courtroom sense. The word 'devil' (diabolos) in this verse actually translates as 'slanderer' or 'false accuser.'  Peter is telling his readers that false persecution and false accusations will come at us and our accuser is trying to swallow us.

We must stand firm in the faith because we know that fellow Christians throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

We meet up with this same slanderous adversary in John's Revelation.  In Revelation 2:10, Jesus tells the church in Smyrna that the devil will test some of us for ten days.  That number is meant to be encouragement, as it is a relatively short period of time.  In Revelation 12:9-12, the devil - who is identified here as a slanderer and accuser - is seen standing before God accusing believers day and night.  At some point, God finally is done listening to his lies and flings him to the earth and sea.  In Revelation 20:2, the devil is bound for a thousand years, released, but then in Revelation 20:10, is thrown into the lake of burning sulfur to be tormented day and night for eternity.

Stand firm. We are told that the suffering is only for a little while.  We are then restored and made strong, firm and steadfast.

Praise the Lord - to Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

March 18 - 1 Peter 5:1-7

1 Peter 5:1-7 – Humility

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

At the beginning of this letter, Peter identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ.  Now, he tells us that he witnessed Christ's sufferings and has confidence he will share in the coming glory.

Imagine what is going through Peter's mind as he writes this. He remembers the arrest in Gethsemane (Mark 14:43-46), the beatings (Matthew 27:28-31) and denial (Matthew 26:69-75), and the crucifixion (Luke 23:44-46) as he identifies himself as a witness to Christ's suffering.  Without missing a beat, he speaks of the glory that he saw revealed in the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36).

The next verse is reminiscent of Jesus' conversation with Peter in John 21:15-18. Jesus healed the pain of Peter's denial and removed the sting of those moments by asking him to feed the sheep that would be in his care. Peter now extends this command to the elders of the church.  "Tend to the sheep ... feed them ... take care of them."

He would have remembered Jesus tearing through the courtyards of the temple in Luke 19:45-46 as he upended tables and insisted that the overseers not be greedy with the money that comes in to them as gifts. Peter was not speaking of the money that was due them, but additional funds that came in for tending to the flock.

When Jesus taught the disciples in Luke 22:24-30 about who would be the greatest among them, he said that kings and great men who lorded it over their people were not personalities to be emulated. Peter listened and translated those words back to his readers.  By the time Peter gets to 1 Peter 5:5, we know that he is remembering that very strong lesson in John 13:1-17 when Jesus knelt down to wash his feet.

Even though it goes against everything we are taught in this culture, we must remember that we humble ourselves - under God's mighty hand.  And why? So that he may lift us up in due time.  Our time is not His time, our plans may not be His plans. Only by stepping under that hand ... will we find ourselves walking in harmony with our Lord.

Holiness takes us to our knees before God.

March 17 - 1 Peter 4:12-19

1 Peter 4:12-19 – Don't Be Surprised

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, 

         “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”  

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Peter certainly has plenty to say about suffering in this letter and this time he tells us that we shouldn't be surprised at what is in front of us.

In the 70s, there were little cards that Christians passed around with the question, "If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" That question strikes me now as it did then. If people aren't slandering me, lying about me, teasing me or persecuting for being a Christian, do they actually even know that I am one?  Do I surround myself with people who are safe?  Even my non-Christian friends are safe - they aren't actually non-Christians, they're more like non-churchgoers.

So, what do these passages on suffering for the name of Christ mean to me?  I take this as a challenge to be less like the world and more like Christ. I'm not sure what that looks like on a day to day basis, but I am certain that I need to be constantly aware of my interactions with others.  It's not about a legalistic set of rules that I need to live by, it's about how I actually show love to the people that I encounter from day to day.

1 Peter 4:14 really spells out why this is so important. "If we are insulted for the name of Christ - if we are actually living like Jesus so that people might insult us, we are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on us."

The original Greek in this passage actually means 'pauses over.' This blessing is essentially that which we receive at the end of time. God's glory rests on us when we are insulted for Christ.

The final four  verses (1 Peter 4:17-19) explain our responsibility.  The only way the world will know Jesus Christ is for it to begin with the household of God. We can not be ashamed of the gospel. We must glorify God. We must live our lives so that God is glorified.

To the 'faithful' Creator. Peter constantly reminds us that we are to set as our baseline for living something that is much higher than any of us can hope to achieve.  God is more faithful than we can ever dream of being. Yet, He has committed Himself to us. As we commit to Him and continue to do good, we will make it easier for the ungodly and the sinner to be saved.

Are you distinctly different from the rest of the world because of your relationship to Jesus Christ?

Holiness is not easy, even though we think that it might be.