2 Peter

Second Peter discusses three obstacles in our path to becoming the people God created us to be.

The first is within us. Life in Christ is living life dependent on God for all things. Dependence on God only comes at the end of our independence. It’s all a matter of control, or who is in control of our lives; us or God.

The second obstacle is the culture of our society. Essentially, the ways of the world are opposite of the ways of God. As long as we are alive the world will have a certain allure for us. The Christian is always tempted to compromise some part of their life and yield to the ways of the world around them.

The third obstacle is within the vast Christian community. Some parts of the church universal teach you are destined for hell if you drink, smoke, or dance. Another part says God intended you to be rich, so focus on using God to get your needs, and wants, met. Another part says all you have to do is keep certain rules; another part says grace covers everything, there is no sin and certainly no rules. You may even run across some goofy preacher encouraging you to seek the life in Christ as your way of life.

Some of these churches are sincere. Some are not. Some of these churches teach truth; some do not. Some are sincere, but not teaching truth. Some are insincere and not teaching truth.

Jesus never said it would be easy to follow Him. Far from that, he made it abundantly clear that following Him will bring the challenges of a lifetime. Second Peter identifies the challenges, but it also affirms the glorious nature of the One we are following:

          Jesus is all powerful and will not be defeated. He is able to fulfill His promises.

          Jesus shows us the life God created us to live, and then empowers us to live it as the Beloved children of God.

          Jesus fulfills all of the promises of God for the benefit of His followers.

          Jesus is our refuge and strength, a very present help in our time of need as we seek to escape from the corruption of the world around us.

          Jesus makes it possible for us to share in the nature of God. As one of His earliest followers said, “Jesus became what we are to make us what He is.”

As I meditate on the Glorious Nature of Jesus the obstacles in my path do not seem insurmountable.

What does today’s reading

reveal to you about God?

What does it reveal to you about yourself?

Think about what God wants you to do

or remember about this passage.

Does God want you to change

anything in your life?

30-Sep-11     Rev. 1:1-20