Today’s chapter places a question mark over the concept of shutting oneself off from “evil”…
READ 2 PETER 2 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
When I first read this chapter this morning I thought, “Good grief – what a mouth full of venom. Is it even right for a believer to have so much negative to say about the actions and speech of those around them!”
The ethical system of “Individualism” has subtly programmed us to the deepest levels of our psychic such that we can no longer judge if our own framework is correct – according to the thinking of our Maker. Individualism in a nutshell says: “What’s right is right because it’s right for me.” Conversely, “I don’t judge you for what you believe and I don’t place stipulations on you to change your behaviour. So don’t tell me what to think or do.”
The problem with separatism melting into individualism is that we’re so busy minding our own business that we’re not distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men. [v7] Even the use of the word “filth” seems so out-dated. We’ve become so culturally diluted that even Believers refuse to make God-given “value judgements”. I wonder how many of us would be tormented in our righteous soul by the lawless deeds we see and hear about. [v8] We’re like the story of Lot [v6] who lived in the worst city on the planet. [a] This Christmas, we may be so caught up in the trappings of the “season of light” that we don’t see an urgency for the Lord of Light to bring in HIS light and rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the Day of Judgment. [v9]
Lord help me to see the difference between being chosen out of this world, set apart, and not belonging to it[b], and the sort of individualism that turns a blind eye toward everything spoken of in this chapter…Read More? … CLICK to follow “12 December – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Wanting to speak directly with your Creator? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
God alone is immortal and lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honour and might forever. [1 Timothy 6:16]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
-
The World: God Grace for the people of Uruguay[c]
-
Your Country: The Parents and Carers of Children
-
Yourself: Personal spiritual growth
-
Your concerns for today
Hear me, Lord, my plea is just. Listen to my cry. Hear my prayer—it does not rise from deceitful lips. [Psalm 17:1]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
Lord, help me to be strong and careful to obey all that’s written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. [Joshua 23:6]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but delivers us from evil.”
Jesus said: “God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. [John 4:24]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Topic = Spiritual Conflict
“Put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” [Ephesians 6:13]
[a] Genesis 18:1-19:29
[b] Leviticus 20:26 and John 15:19