A number of years ago I preached a series of messages on 2nd Peter which I intended to turn into a book. Well, time and anxiousness got to me and I decided to release some or all of this in this format. (I never liked the idea of “posthumous” publishing… where someone else has control of final edits.) So, I humbly submit this introductory piece in the hopes of posting more of my work “until He comes.”
STUDIES IN 2nd PETER…
II Peter 3:18 is my theme verse – “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.” The goal of this writing is to help Christians grow in maturity in Christ. Some of the concepts that I desire you to be excited about may not be new to you, but we all need reminders that we, as God’s people, need to follow hard after God.
First of all, the inner spiritual condition of the heart is the most important thing in life. The Bible tells us that “the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7.
We are addressing the concept of spiritual priorities. The problem of keeping priorities in proper biblical perspective is a daily exercise of deeply significant proportions. It is my experience that many born again people have enormous difficulty in this area. Many are so interested in the outward appearance of things that the matters of the heart are pushed back into a long list of “things to do.” This trend must be resisted at all costs.
We need to ask ourselves for example, do I get more excited about the play-off game on TV than I do my personal devotional life? I suggest that if your earthly interests absorb more of your time than your spiritual disciplines than you are sure to be ready for a spiritual re-evaluation.
Secondly, I wish to address the mediocrity that Christians are satisfied to remain in through-out their Christian experience. Status quo is not where Christians should be. Yet it seems to be so very prevalent in our churches today. To be honest, I like safe, familiar things as much as you do. But we need to ask ourselves if we really are “safe” with lulling ourselves to sleep with mediocrity in our lives and the life of the church. No, we do not need to change for the sake of change. What I am writing about is the attitude that is too often a part of the life of the church that resists change because it is just that- change. I am sure you have heard the “seven last words of the church” – “We’ve Never Done It This Way Before.”
Thirdly, “backsliding” is not normal. There are many believers who have come to think that “backsliding” is a normal part of the Christian life. I challenge that thinking. It is almost as if the average Christian accepts “backsliding” as part and parcel of being born again.
Forthly, I am deeply disturbed by the way Christians treat each other. After 20 years in the pastorate, I am convinced that the church would be a better place to minister in if Christians were more polite to each other. Good interpersonal relationships are vitally important to the life and health of the local church.
Fifthly, Christians need to be more concerned about others than themselves. Phillipians 2:3-4. I am concerned with the growing trend of Christians who are “self” conscious. There seems to be a pre-occupation with the self that pushes others out of our lives. This is manifested in various manners. For example, the popular movement “to feel good about yourself” is broadening its influence and tightening its grip. I don’t like it. The purpose of each believer is to exercise his spiritual gifts for the betterment of the body.
Am I over-reacting? I think not. Christians have got to stop feeling sorry for themselves and get on with the business of holiness and growth in Christ. I have become increasingly disturbed with those who suggest that we must be “whole” ourselves before we can minister to others. I suggest that we worry less about ourselves and think about others.
My main target is the heart of the believer in Jesus Christ. My pastor’s heart experiences a dull pain (metaphorically speaking) as I live and work with Christians struggling to move forward in their Christian lives. I ache in my soul for Christians who do not know the joy of having peace with God as a regular, daily, normal part of life. So many believers have settled for a life of turmoil and confusion, and this causes me to weep. May God use these writings to cause the believing Christian who reads it to seek change in his or her life.
On the subject of selflessness,friendship and fellowship, a few lines by an unknown author:
I sought my soul,
But my soul I could not see.
I sought my God,
But my God eluded me.
I sought my brother,
And I found all three.