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2 Peter 3:8 – He Always Is

Posted on June 23, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:8

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

Truth to Learn

God is always present … everywhere and at all times.

Behind the Words

The word “forget” is translated from lanthanō, which we looked at back in verse five. It means “to lie hidden” or “to be unaware of.” So, a better translation of the beginning of this verse would be, “But do not ignore this one thing …”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is one of those which people seem to delight in pulling out of context and using as a proof text for bizarre doctrines (like the earth wasn’t really created in seven days but in seven eons). However, instead of talking about what this verse doesn’t mean, let’s talk about what it does mean.

First of all, Peter is refuting those who claim that the Messiah (the Christ) is not coming because the message of His coming has been proclaimed for thousands of years, and there is no more evidence of it today than there was when it was first proclaimed. These scoffers claim that everything is continuing on without change for all this time, and there is no chance for a change any time soon.

Peter first refuted this by saying that things have not continued in the same way always, and he cites the flood of Noah’s day as an example. He also warns that there will be another judgment of the earth and its inhabitants, this time by fire.

Now for Peter’s second rebuttal of belief in uniformitarianism. First, though, he warns his readers, “Do not ignore this one thing.” It is his way of saying that the following is a very important thing to learn: “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

So what does this phrase really mean? Just this: God is not bound by time. It’s as simple as that! He is right now in eternity past, He is also in eternity future, and He is everywhere in between. Christ, Himself, expressed it when He was arguing with the Jews:

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58)

The expression “I am” means that in every point of time, God is there in the present. It is not just a matter that God has always existed and will always exist but that He simultaneously exists in all points of time and eternity. Therefore, to Him, a moment in time is the same as a thousand years, is the same as a day. That’s what Peter is saying. And, since God is not bound by time, the argument (that it has been thousands of years since the message was first preached and He still hasn’t come) has no bearing in the matter at all.

Application

The next time you find yourself getting impatient with God, wondering why He hasn’t answered your prayers yet, keep in mind that God knows the end from the beginning. He is already there and He knows precisely the right time to help you in your “hour” of need.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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2 Peter 3:7 – Fiery Reservation

Posted on June 22, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:7

By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Truth to Learn

Though God will not bring another worldwide flood, He will judge the world and unbelieving people by a fiery judgment.

Behind the Words

The word, “reserved” is translated from thesauridzō. This is based on the word thesauros from which we get our English word thesaurus, meaning “a stored up treasure.” The word thesauridzō is a participle meaning “being laid up,” or “being kept in store,” or “being held in reserve.” This is an accounting term that often refers to treasure that is being kept in reserve for future use.

The word translated “for” in the expression “for the day of judgment” is the Greek word eis, which means “into” or “unto.” It can also be translated “for” or “until.”

The word “ungodly” is translated from the Greek word asebēs made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and a form of sebomai, meaning “to revere” or “to adore.” Hence, we see that this is a reference to those people who have no reverence for God.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Peter stated that the earth and its inhabitants were once judged and destroyed by a flood of water. This flood occurred some forty-five hundred years ago, according to God’s Word. In today’s verse he states that the earth and its inhabitants will someday be destroyed again. The judgment will not be by water this time, for God promised Noah that He would never do that again.

I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. (Genesis 9:13-15)

This time the judgment will be by fire and it will be total destruction. Until that day, however, the current heavens and earth are being kept in store waiting for that day. And, according to Peter, the heavens and the earth are being held in reserve by the Word of God. Some day God’s patience and longsuffering will end and He will once again judge the world.

Peter’s point in these past few verses is that even though there are scoffers who think we are crazy to believe that there ever was a universal flood or that God will cause a cataclysmic judgment of fire, the flood really did happen just as sure as the fire judgment will occur some day in the future. The best (unsaved) scientific minds today are telling us that neither could a universal flood have occurred nor could the earth be judged by great fire.

But we know better!

Application

In light of this fact, what manner of people ought we to be in the presence of a loving God who continues to hold back His judgment so that everyone will have a chance to believe in His Son? Does that affect the way you live? It should!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 3:6 – Watery Destruction

Posted on June 21, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:6

By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.

Truth to Learn

God said there was a worldwide flood; therefore, there was a worldwide flood, no matter what today’s scientists claim.

Behind the Words

The word translated “deluged” is katakludzō, from which we get our English word cataclysm. This is a compound word made up of kata, meaning “down” used here as an intensifier and kludzō, meaning “to surge over like a wave of the sea.” Hence, katakludzō refers to “total inundation by water.”

“Destroyed” is translated from the Greek word apollumi. This is another compound word made up of apo, meaning “off” or “away” but used here as an intensifier and a form of olethros, meaning “ruin” or “destruction.” Hence apollumi refers to “complete ruin” or “absolute destruction.” The word is expressed here in the middle voice indicating action done by the subject (the world) to itself. The end of this verse could be translated, “the world of that time destroyed itself being inundated with water.

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse validates what we said yesterday regarding the meaning of the phrase, “and the earth was formed out of water and by water.” Not only did the word of God form the earth from the midst of water, but the word of God also condemned the antediluvian inhabitants of the world with a worldwide flood, saving only Noah and his family.

The scoffers that Peter is talking about (like the humanists of today) claimed that things had always been just as they are now. It’s a scientific principle called uniformitarianism, which states that the same scientific laws and principles that apply today have always applied and always will. Therefore, there could not have been a sudden cataclysmic whole earth flood because there isn’t enough water in the world today to cover all the existing mountains. They refuse to accept the fact that the high mountains of today could have been formed in the five or six thousand years since the flood because that would violate uniformitarianism.

Incidentally, it is these same scientists who claim that we have evolved from apes, even though in recorded history there is no observable example of any species evolving into another species – none, zip, zero, nada! Not to mention that even evolution violates their precious second law of thermodynamics which states that everything moves from a state of order to a state of disorder, from a higher energy level to a lower energy level. But the secular, God denying scientists of today conveniently ignore these facts.

There are many today who are scoffing at Christians, especially at those of us who hold a literal interpretation of the Bible. But we shouldn’t be surprised by this because the “world has always been that way” (tongue in cheek).

Application

Let us not be dissuaded by their big words and well orchestrated arguments. Let us, instead, hold fast to the Word of God. Let us not waiver. Let us carry the banner, that is, the message of salvation by grace through faith in the crucified Christ, even in the face of scoffers and mockers!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 3:5 – Intentional Ignorance

Posted on June 18, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:5

But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.

Truth to Learn

The world system today chooses to ignore God’s truth.

Behind the Words

“Deliberately” is translated from a form of thelō, which means “to wish or to will.” But it implies more than simple desire because it carries an intention with it. Hence, it is often translated as “to determine.”

The word “forget” is translated from the Greek word lanthanō, which is from a primitive root lath, meaning “to escape notice.” The word lanthanō means “to lie hidden” or “to be unaware of.”

The words “long ago” are from ekpalai, meaning “from a long time ago.”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is a very difficult one to translate accurately as evidenced by the wide variety of translations that exist. It literally starts out with, “for determining to be unaware of …”

The thing that they are intentionally unaware of is explained in the following phrase: “that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water” This, too, is a difficult phrase to translate, but it appears to mean that the heavens were created a long time ago by the word of God, the earth was once formed by the word of God out of water, and the earth currently exists having come through water.

The first of these is pretty easy to understand. “Long ago by God’s word the heavens existed;” that is, they existed, or came into being, a long time ago, and the instrument which brought the heavens into being was the Word of God. The next phrase, “and the earth was formed out of water and by water,” is literally written “and land out of water and through water.” This is explained in the second verse of Genesis, “And the earth was without form and empty. And darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters.” In this verse from Genesis, the word translated “the deep” can be referring to “surging waves of water.” We can clearly see from Genesis 1:2 that the earth was covered with water, and land was formed from the midst of it. And the phrase “through water” is a reference to the flood of Noah’s time which transformed the face of the earth.

What today’s verse is telling us is that these scoffers have made a conscious decision not to believe reality because they don’t want to admit that God exists. They cannot understand the reality of God’s creation because they willingly ignore the truth. As a result, they have to make up theories that explain all that exists around us apart from a creator God.

Application

Just because all of our public schools teach that all matter spontaneously came into being at the Big Bang doesn’t make it so. Just because they teach that life spontaneously came into being and evolved into all life forms we see today, without God, doesn’t make it so. People don’t have to believe these lies, but they choose to because they reject God. Do you choose to believe the Word of God or humanistic lies?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 3:4 – Evolution of the Mocker

Posted on June 17, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:4

They will say, “Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

Truth to Learn

We will be ridiculed if we proclaim the soon return of Jesus.

Behind the Words

The word “coming” is translated from the Greek word parousia. This is made up of para, meaning “to be near” and a form of eimi, the verb of existence (I am, you are, he is). Hence, parousia refers to a physical presence here with us, not just a spiritual presence. It refers to Christ’s physical return.

Meaning Explained

In the last verse Peter introduced the notion that there will be scoffers in the last days. He now tells us what the subject of their mockery is. They scoff at the notion that Christ is coming back. In effect, they’re saying,

“Look, since you apostles started preaching, you have been saying that He is coming back soon. Even the prophets have been predicting a conquering Messiah for thousands of years. Nonetheless, things just continue on as they always have.”

And today it’s even worse!

“Look, even the apostles believed that Christ was coming back in their lifetime, and they have been dead for thousands of years. You religious fanatics are a bunch of radicals with antique ideas. Come on, join the 21^st century and get out of the dark ages!”

You may not consider yourself to be a religious fanatic, but I’m sure that you catch my drift. The more loudly we proclaim the message of a lifestyle committed to the precepts taught in the Bible, the louder the opposition will proclaim us to be crazy. The more we proclaim His soon return, the more they will ridicule us. And, they will do all they can to separate us from the rest of society because they think that we are bad for them.

The world system today rejects the notion of a living God who is active in the affairs of mankind. Instead they believe in uniformitarianism, the belief that all existing natural processes we can observe today have been at work in the same manner ever since the beginning, which they believe was the “Big Bang.” Everything is explained in terms of these existing processes and evolution. Most people today believe these ideas so strongly that they refuse to believe even obvious evidence that points to a catastrophic world-wide flood.

Because of their faith in evolution and uniformitarianism, they are blinded to the truth of the Gospel and all the Biblical references to the soon coming of our Lord in judgment. There are many references to His return in the New Testament including John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 1Corinthians 15:23; 2Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6; 1Thessalonians 3:13; 1Thessalonians 4:14-18; 2Thessalonians 1:10; 2Thessalonians 2:1; 1Timothy 6:14; 2Timothy 4:8; Titus2:13; Hebrews 9:28; James 5:7

Application

Let us boldly proclaim the word of salvation by grace through faith unto all we meet, and let us proclaim His soon return! Sure, we will be ridiculed and attacked; so was our Savior! He died to save even those who attacked Him; the least we can do is to proclaim His message because He is alive and He is coming back soon!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 3:3 – Mockery of Honor

Posted on June 16, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:3

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

Truth to Learn

There are many today who mock Christians and who scoff at the truth of the Bible, but some day they will be silenced.

Behind the Words

The word translated “first of all” is the Greek word proton, which is an adverb that denotes “preeminence in importance or location.” In this case Peter is not saying that this is the first in a series of things to know, rather he is saying that this is the most important thing to know.

The word translated “scoffers” is the Greek word empaiktēs, which means “someone who mocks or scoffs at the truth,” and it is often used of false teachers (like those we learned about in the previous chapter).

Meaning Explained

Peter said a couple of verses back that he had written both this and the previous letters “as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.” The thing he wants his readers to remember is in the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the apostles. He now tells us what it is that he wants us to remember.

He starts this verse off with, “First of all.” The most important thing he wants his readers to remember is “that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” These scoffers will be constantly under the servitude of their own lusts according to Peter. Instead of living a victorious life by the power of the Spirit of God, these false teachers live their lives controlled by their overpowering desires (the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life). Jude, in his short letter, says something very similar:

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” (Jude 17,18)

Peter will get into more detail in the next verse concerning the specifics of their scoffing. For now, let us consider that today there are many people in the world who mock Christianity and who portray Christians as mindless buffoons sitting in church pews droning on, “Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves …” These same people who make a mockery of what we hold dear and sacred are controlled by their own lusts. In fact, they are so enslaved to them that they can’t possibly understand how anyone in their right mind could give up control of his or her life to God, because they don’t know Him.

Application

Our responsibility in the face of these scoffers is to live lives worthy of the Name by which we are called. We may not silence these scoffers while they are on this earth, but at the Great White Throne judgment when they stand before the one to whom we are submitted today, they will submit… and be committed… to the lake of fire. They will be eternally separated from the One at whom they are now scoffing, and on that day they will not think it so funny.

So… live your witness before all the world and don’t be a chameleon even though some may mock you!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 3:2 – The Old and The New

Posted on June 15, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:2

I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

Truth to Learn

Christians need to allow God to speak to them from both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Behind the Words

The word “prophets” is transliterated from the Greek word prophētēs. This is a compound word made up of pro, meaning “before, in place or time” and a form of phēmi, which means “to show or to make one’s thoughts known.” As used in the New Testament, the most common use of prophētēs is to refer to someone who makes proclamations before they happen, though it can refer to someone who stands before others and makes proclamations.

“Savior” is translated from sōter, which is derived from sōdzō, meaning “to rescue, to save, or to deliver.”

The word “apostles” is from the Greek word apostolos. This is made up of apo, meaning “from or away from” and stellō, meaning “to set firmly.” Hence, apostolos refers to a person who has been “sent away” with a specific commission.

Meaning Explained

Peter stated that he has written this second letter in order to stir up the memories of those to whom he is writing. He wants them to remember things that they have thoroughly investigated and have learned. He now gets a little more specific in today’s verse, and he will get more specific yet in the next verse.

He wants his readers to remember “the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets.” Clearly he is referring to the writings of the prophets in the Old Testament (which to his first century readers was the only testament). Peter is not asking Christians to throw out the Jewish Scriptures; rather, he is encouraging us to continue to read and study the Jewish Scriptures as well as “the command given by our Lord and Savior.”

Jesus Christ brought in a new dispensation with new revelation about the person and work of God and His desire for a personal relationship through faith. Peter is now closely tying that in with all the previous revelation about God contained in what we now call the Old Testament.

Much can be learned about how God wants us to relate to Him by studying the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob along with other spiritual giants of the Old Testament like Noah, Moses, Elijah and David. It’s not just a book of Jewish history, it’s filled with examples of faith and obedience that we New Testament Christians can learn and grow from. Furthermore, the Old Testament contains numerous prophesies about the birth of Christ, the life of Christ, the death of Christ, and the return of Christ in His triumphal glory.

Application

There are many foundational truths contained in the Old Testament that are of vital importance to our understanding of God. Christians need to have a firm grasp of God’s teaching in both the Old and New Testaments. If you haven’t already done so, commit today to reading through the entire Bible. Also, commit to studying the lives of Abraham, Moses, and David. The same God who loved them and blessed them for their faithfulness also loves you, and He hasn’t changed!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 3:1 – Forward, or Reverse?

Posted on June 14, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:1

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.

Truth to Learn

We all need to be reminded of Biblical truths.

Behind the Words

The word translated “wholesome” is the Greek word eilikrinēs, which is made up of eile, meaning “the shining or splendor of the sun” and krinō, meaning “to judge, discern, or examine.” So, eilikrinēs literally means “judged or examined in the sunlight.”

The word translated as “thinking” is the Greek word dianoia, which is a compound word made up of dia, meaning “through” and a form of noeō, which means “to think over.” Hence, dianoia means “to thoroughly think over or to think completely through.”

Meaning Explained

Peter starts off this third section of his letter with an explanation of why he is writing. He says this is the second letter that he has written to these people and that the reason for writing both letters was that they might be “reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.”

Peter wants to remind these people that they have thoroughly thought about the previous truths taught to them by Peter and others. They have taken the words of Scripture and have given them careful examination under the most illuminating conditions. They have not just accepted teachings on face value, especially those teachings of the Old Testament and of Christ himself (as we will see in the next verse). They have thoroughly examined them and thought about them extensively.

So how is this different from the “full knowledge” possessed by the deceived ones in the verses we studied in the last chapter? Those people possessed a “full knowledge” of salvation. That is, they tried to intellectualize their way into Christianity instead of believing their way in. The act of salvation is not an act of our intellect; it is an act of our will. It means a submission of our will to His in accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as complete payment for our sins. To understand it intellectually and to believe it are two distinctly different things. What Peter is talking about in today’s verse is the thorough investigation of the teachings after salvation has taken place.

Peter is now reminding them again of the things that they have believed in the past and that they have examined and discovered to be true but which they are likely to forget if they are not occasionally reminded of them. This is one of the reasons that it is important for us to be reading and studying our Bibles day after day, going over things we have learned previously to remind us of what God is trying to teach us.

Application

I am reminded of a powerful sermon that I heard as a very new Christian in which the preacher proclaimed that the Christian life is never standing still, “You’re either moving forward!” he bellowed with a grandiose gesture of the arm in the forward direction, “Or you’re moving back!” proclaimed with an equally grandiose gesture of the arm to the rear.”

Which direction is your Christian life moving today?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 2:22 – Filthy Magnet

Posted on June 4, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:22

Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Truth to Learn

Without the God-given new birth, we will all return to our former ways.

Meaning Explained

For the past two verses Peter has been talking about people who confess to be believers but who never really became Christians. These people, under their own power, have attained a sort of intellectual salvation from their former way of life but without the quickening of the Spirit of God. Instead, they have been lured back into their former sinful ways.

Peter herein describes this return to their former manner of life with two proverbial expressions. The first is a reference to Proverbs 26:11, which says:

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

This is Peter’s off-handed way of saying that these people were fools to have thought that they could have attained their own salvation. They have proven their folly by returning to their former manner of life.

The other proverbial phrase that Peter uses is not a reference to anything found in the Bible, but it is common in rabbinical writings and is also found in classical Greek writings. No matter how much effort you may put into cleaning up a pig, when left to its own devices it will return to the mud as is the manner of pigs.

Although this and the two previous verses have been used by some to show that it is possible to “fall from grace” and lose one’s salvation, as usual with proof texts for false doctrines, it actually demonstrates the opposite. Peter is pointing out that these people never were changed. If they had been truly saved, they would have a different nature and would never have returned to their former manner of life. Likewise, someone who has been truly saved has a new nature. Peter even used this image in the opening verses of this epistle where he said:

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3,4)

The Apostle Paul said it another way in 2 Corinthians 5:17,

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

True salvation is something that God does, not something we do. When He does it, according to Paul, we become a new creature. And even though we still have our sin nature and our propensity to sin, we are truly changed, and we will demonstrate that change by developing different habits and a different lifestyle.

Application

In light of all that the Apostle Peter has taught us, let us all live like the new creatures we are, forsaking our old way of life. Stop living for yourself and your fleshly desires. Live for Him, for He is worthy!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

2 Peter 2:21 – Knowledge or Faith?

Posted on June 3, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 2:21

It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.

Truth to Learn

Great works done in the name of God are not an indication of salvation. It comes only through true repentance and faith.

Behind the Words

In verse 20 we talked about the word ginōskō, referring to intellectual knowledge. It is the same word used in this verse translated “have known.” There is a different Greek word that means experiential knowledge, the word oida. Had Peter used this word, he would have been referring to experiencing salvation rather than just knowing about it.

Meaning Explained

Peter has been talking about these people who had escaped from the pollutions of the world system, and that their escape came about by their intellectual knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We have many in our churches today who are there, not because they have a saving faith in Jesus, but because they have knowledge and they are doing everything they can to be a good Christian. However, they are doing it in their own power because they don’t have the power of the Holy Spirit. I have no doubt that they actually believe they are saved, which is a supreme tragedy.

In fact Peter shares that sentiment! He says that it would have been better for them not to have had full knowledge of the way of righteousness because in the end they will be more deeply entangled in the pollutions of the world. Our Lord, Himself, talked about such people. Here’s what He said of them:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

Also, speaking in a parable, our Lord said:

Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth … (Luke 13:24-28)

Just because someone claims to be a Christian doesn’t mean that they really are. In fact, a recent poll showed that over 60% of the people in the United States claim to be Christians.

Application

Are you sure of your salvation? Have you ever completely submitted your life and your will to God, confessing your sinfulness and your need for salvation? Have you accepted the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross as the payment for your sins? Or do you believe you are saved because you followed some methodical process that finally made you worthy of salvation? There’s a big difference in these two. One leads to eternal life, while the other leads to weeping and gnashing of teeth!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –