2 Peter 3:14-18 Why, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.… In these words the apostle gets near, as a shepherd of souls tending the flock, to those whom he would bless. I. lie MAKES THEIR DISCIPLINE A PLEA FOR REACHING A BLESSED IDEAL. 1. Their discipline. How much is involved in "these things"? 2. Their ideal. "Be found in peace, without spot, and blameless." 3. Their struggle. "Give diligence." II. HE INDICATES THAT THE MYSTERY OF DELAYED JUDGMENT IS A MYSTERY OF DIVINE MERCY GIVING OPPORTUNITY FOR SALVATION. 1. This is taught by Paul. 2. This is affirmed again by Peter. 3. This is the clear teaching of Scripture, even though it has its things "hard to be understood." III. HE WARNS THAT EVEN THE BEST MEANS OF BLESSING MAY BE PERVERTED TO HARM. The ignorant and unsteadfast wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction. IV. HE SHOWS THE PERIL THAT COMES TO THE GOOD FROM EVIL MEN. "Carried away with the error of the wicked," etc. 1. Strong influence - "carried." 2. Great calamity - "fail." V. HE PROCLAIMS THE METHOD AND HOPE OF TRUE SAFETY. "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour." This is in harmony with his emphatic teaching: "Add to your faith virtue," etc. VI. HE ASCRIBES PRAISE TO HIM WHO IS ITS RIGHTFUL OBJECT. 1. The glory is Christ's. "On his head are many crowns." Peter vies with Paul in passionate homage for his Lord. 2. The glory is Christ's now. Our obedience, our actual service, our praise, today. 3. The glory is Christ's for ever. There may be new systems of things, and these systems of surpassing grandeur; but his glory shall ever be the diadem on the very brow of the universe, the central sun amid all its constellations. For the moral evermore transcends the material. And he is for ever "the Lord our Righteousness." - U.R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. |
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