Simply Peter in Remembrance

Bible Matters 554:  Simply Peter in Remembrance

Peter was a fisherman.  He was not a scholar.   Peter’s last chapter (2Peter3) is presented at a higher level than one is used to reading.  In the last chapter Peter summarizes the most important point of the six-point gospel of Love. 

God’s gospel of Love is not to be controlled by man’s religious laws.   Every person who starts their walk with God, wants to know exactly the sins that are OK and the sin that God hates.  The newbies want to score their walk and determine if a little bit of sin is OK and their walk is considered righteous in the eyes of God.   That is exactly why man judges especially between religious denominations. 

Thomas testified to man’s sin experienced by Jesus. Jesus recognized that when they repent and give up wine, then their walk with God will change (i.e. converted or born again.) 

Saying 28: The World is Drunk – Jesus said, “I stood in the middle of the world and appeared to them in the flesh. I found them all drunk; I didn’t find any of them thirsty. My soul ached for the children of humanity, because they were blind in their hearts and couldn’t see. They came into the world empty and plan on leaving the world empty. Meanwhile, they’re drunk. When they shake off their wine, then they’ll change.”

The apostles wanted to know the sin of the world.  What sin does God hate?  In the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, Peter asked Jesus about sin.

Peter said to him, “Since you’ve explained everything to us, tell us one more thing. What’s the sin of the world?”

The Savior said, “Sin doesn’t exist, but you’re the ones who make sin when you act in accordance with the nature of adultery, which is called ‘sin.’ That’s why the Good came among you, up to the things of every nature in order to restore it within its root.”

Sin is not something that bothers sinners. Peter tells you to remember out of your pure mind. A scoffer will walk in darkness after their own lusts.  Many will not give up their sin.  That is exactly why that two or three verse simple plan of salvation is so dangerous. 

2 Peter 3:1,3 – This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

A scoffer is someone who mocks, be littles, or expresses contempt toward the ideas, beliefs, or moral values of others. Driven by pride and defensiveness, they actively deride opposing viewpoints rather than engaging in constructive dialogue.

Scoffers have come in these last days.  A scoffer will use this one verse to try and convince you that Jesus died for your past, present and future sins.  You are covered, so just keep sinning. 

Hebrews 10:12,17 – But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

John tells you that when you believe, you don’t walk in darkness and sin.  You repent and turn from sin.  Peter tells you the same. 

1 John 1:6 – If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:14,17,18 – Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.

With these verses, I cannot help but remember the simple plan of salvation presented at my friend’ recent celebration of life, complete with the following, two, modified verses, where the future state of a “shall be” promise has been replaced with a “will” guarantee. 

“So….how do we get to heaven?

Romans 10:9 – If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord.” And believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you “will be” saved.

Acts 2:38 – Peter replied, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you “will receive” the gift of the Holy Spirit.””

This message is so far from the truth in God’s word.  The scoffer that came up with the false doctrine of this simple plan of salvation, is truly mocking God’s word brought by Jesus and God’s gospel of Love.  No man can guarantee salvation at any point in your walk with God.   No man can offer you a “will” guarantee that you will not be judged by God.  My walk with God, started with a lesson from Proverbs 30:5-6.  I went to the altar and repented of my sins.  God told me that his words are important.

Proverbs 30:5-6 – Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

This verse says that the scoffer is a liar for changing God’s word.  When one changes God word and offers salvation without works and judgement by God, that person is perverting God’s ability to judge.  Thus, that scoffer is a wicked liar. 

Proverbs 17:23 – A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

Do not get fooled by a lie.  When someone gives you a verse, with a questionable promise, read several verses before and after that verse.  Read the whole chapter.   You must judge God’s word for yourself.  You will stand before God on judgement day.  That wicked liar scoffer will not be there.  In this case, read Acts 2:39.  God tells you that gift is a “shall” promise. 

Acts 2:39 – For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

In Ephesians 2:8-9, a scoffers guarantee without works is obliterated by Ephesians 2:10. God has ordained you for the purpose of performing your good works. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

  Even though God’s gospel of Love is presented multiple times in Peter’s epistle and by every New Testament witness, scoffers will not believe in God’s truth, as evidence of the preponderance of evidence in repeated doctrine.  Paul presented God’s gospel of Love in Romans, Hebrew, Timothy and others.   Three documented epistles, all with God’s gospel of Love presented.  Paul spent three weeks with Peter, studying God’s word. 

Galatians 1:18-19 – Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

Both Peter and James have well documented gospels of Love in their epistles.   Paul was taught by the best.  Know the truth in God’s word, repent and endure to the end with the longsuffering for the Lord as evidence in your belief in God almighty and his gospel of Love.

2 Peter 3:14-15 – Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

• Keep yourself in the love of God, unto eternal life – to be revealed in the last time.  (See 1 Peter 1:4-5,9; 1 Peter 3:17; 1 Peter 4:19; 1 Peter 5:6-7; 2 Peter 1:9-11)

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen.