December 25, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

2 Peter 1 - Peter makes clear that God, in "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness" verse 1.  We have everything we need to live a godly life, but only through God's power, verse 3.  Being partakers of "the divine nature" verse 4, we have many virtues to add to our lives, verses 5-7.  These bring forth fruitfulness in our lives, verse 8.  All Scripture was given by the Holy Spirit as He moved in the lives of prophets down through the years, verses 20,21.

2 Peter 2 - Peter describes the theology and practice of false teachers who even "deny the Lord who bought them" verse 1.  Examples are given of how God delivers "the godly out of temptations..." verses 4-9.  False teachers are likened to Balaam, verses 15,16.  They make promises of liberty but bring people into bondage, verse 19.

2 Peters 3 - Scoffers will come near the last days ridiculing the preaching of Christ's return, verses 1-4.  But Peter reminds us that God is patient, "not willing that any should perish" until they've had time to hear the truth, verse 9.  God will one day purge the heavens and earth before He brings the new heavens and earth where righteousness will dwell, verses 10-13.  Peter's closing admonition is that believers would "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" verse 18.

Jude 1 - Jude calls for believers to "contend" or defend the faith, verse 3.  False teachers distort God's message of grace and teach immorality instead, verse 4.  Jude gives examples of those who were rebellious against God, including angels, verse 6,7 and Cain and Balaam, verse 11.  Enoch is quoted in verses 14,15.  This quote is from his own writings that are no longer in existence, as far as we know now.  A false "Book of Enoch" surfaced later, but this is not what Jude quoted from.  Believers are encouraged to "pray in the Holy Spirit" verse 20 and keep themselves "in the love of God", verse 21 as they wait for Christ's return.