2 Pe 3 A RIGHTEOUS NEW EARTH
Sunday, March 12, 2022.
2 Pe 3:13
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells: God has promised to create new heavens and a new earth Isa 65:17. What is wrong with this present earth? There are too many evil reminders which produce sadness, so God will erase the memories of ungodliness. He will create a new world of righteousness where only goodness resides.
Application: who would want to be reminded for eternity of the evil committed in their lives on the present earth? Jesus took away our sins, never to remember them again Heb 10:17. Forgetting our evil past and giving us a new home allows our worship to focus on the goodness of God rather than the wickedness of our old lives.
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2 Pe 2 ADDICTIONS
Saturday, March 11, 2022.
2 Pe 2:19
They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” These false teachers promised the people freedom, but they themselves were slaves of depravity. An addiction is anything that has control over you, where you are helpless and in complete submission to it.
Application: In the early seventies, hippies promoted sexual freedom—having sex with anyone and everyone, whenever the desire came, but this only led to unfulfillment. Jesus said the truth was in His teaching and would set one free Jn 8:31,32. In regards to sex, marriage was the restriction required to give one complete freedom and satisfaction. It is a special holy bond that is a beautiful gift, which cannot be shared with others without destroying its intimacy.
Sometimes restrictions produce the most excellent results. Take for example a train. It is restricted to run on railway tracks. If it had complete freedom to travel without tracks, it would not function at its potential. Or think of limiting yourself to one piece of dessert rather than a meal of desserts. The “law of diminishing returns” states (in the case of desserts) that the second or third sweet treat would not be as satisfying as the first one.
God created us and His laws are not to limit our freedom but to keep us from addictions which would control us detrimentally.
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2 Pe 1:9 REMEMBER
Thursday, March 10, 2022.
2 Pe 1:9
But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins: Peter’s theme in this chapter is for believers to remember. He uses this term four times: failure to grow spiritually is caused by forgetting that your sins have been forgiven; if you continue to grow you won’t stumble, therefore Peter says he will always remind you of these things 1 Pe 1:12; he says it is right to refresh your memory 1 Pe 1:13; and finally after he is gone, he will make every effort for you to remember these thoughts 1 Pe 1:15.
Application: James also told us to be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer Jas 1:22. He compared it to looking in the mirror, then forgetting what you looked like Jas 1:23,24. Therefore, let us continually meditate on the promises of God, to remember His goodness and to grow in His knowledge, to live a godly life, full of gratitude and thanksgiving.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq4o9aZl0tw
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