2 Peter 2

A knife with a sharp edge cuts through. Likewise, a preacher/teacher who has a sharp edge of truth can cut through life’s pleasantries and make a painful point. Such seems to be Peter’s mood as he berates the carnality of pleasure-seeking apostate individuals. Maybe the easiest way to identify them – their eyes full of adultery. Did he have someone he loved who suffered pain inflicted by such a person? It’s possible.

We hate the sin but love the sinner. God’s not willing that any perish. Lord, let your mercy triumph over your judgement. [James 2:13]

2 Peter 1

To us, the heirs of salvation, have been given many great and precious promises. When God gives a promise, you can count on it. He is not a man that he should (be able to ) lie. [Num. 23:19]

We can build our lives upon His promises. He is consistent. He is trustworthy. He is faithful. In a sense, we are only to be disappointed if we build our lives upon the promises of men. Actually, apart from God, men are incapable of fulfilling their promises. With His help … the infilling of His Spirit and His Word … they can begin to display a life that looks like Him.

By His promises, we are partakers of the divine nature.

1 Peter 5

The author puts an emphatic premium upon servant leaders who are more concerned about their legacy in Heaven than earthly acclaim. Through their humility Christ’s love more genuinely shows through.,

Authentic Christian leaders spread the fragrance of Christ in all they do. They love the way He loved. They forgive the way He forgave. They give the way He gave. They speak the way He spoke.

We are co-inheritors with Christ of all the Father gave Him, and we sit with Him in Heavenly places. [Eph. 2:6]

1 Peter 3, 4

If Peter made this statement in 63 A.D., how much more is it true today.

In light of the conflict in Europe right now, we realize that the end times is more fully upon us. How should we pray?

Jesus said it, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done ON EARTH as it is in Heaven.” Wars and rumors of wars is understandable now. When these things happen, our eyes should not be on Washington, but on the clouds. Our REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH.

1 Peter 2

Christ did not deserve ANY of the suffering He experienced, yet the Heavenly Father had purposed that Christ would suffer and die for us. The Father used His suffering to bring about our salvation.

No suffering for the present is enjoyable, but it may be an opportunity to please God if it is unjust .. you did not deserve it. Verse 20 says it is acceptable to God.

God is our avenger. He wants us to just take it and let Him deal with the cause. Why, because Christ did. The Father turned the tragedy of the cross into the greatest example of His love this world has ever seen. It brought us eternal life in with Him in Heaven.

1 Peter 1

Who are we that a Savior would bleed and die for? Who are we for whom Christ would say, “Not My will, Thine for.”

This love that was given and sent to us while we were unlovely is amazing. [Rom. 5:8] We really don’t deserve anything God gives to us. We should be careful lest we boast or feel above others who are deeper in sin. There but for the grace of God go we. All we have, we have been given freely. Whether we have one sin or a gazillion, Christ paid the same supreme price for it.

All the praise and glory goes to Him.

James 5

James warns against financially taking advantage of others. We live in a society where financial shrewdness to the point of defrauding is considered wisdom. Not so. God watches every financial transaction we make. If we hold back payment or wages to whom it is due, He will hear their cry for justice and avenge them.

It is better to err on the side of generosity than to profit on the loss of others.

James 4

I have discovered that God will bring to you what you need when you ask Him. It takes some patience, but when you get His answer and His provision, you will be much happier. He can spare you a lot of headache about which is best, or what do you really need. He knows!

Heb. 3

Our words can bring peace or strife. Encouragement and gratitude heal. Talking about others in a negative light can bring a wedge to relationships.

Life an death are in the power of the tongue. [Pr. 18:21]

He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separates very friends. [Pr. 17:9]

Heb.. 2

Faith without works is dead. There is no follow through. We must allow the life of Christ within us to produce acts of kindness and mercy.

If you see a person in need, let your faith become alive and help him.