As we watch Israel, Gaza, Iran, Russia, Ukraine…global debt, global warming,
weather gone wild, and all the other dangers unfolding–DO YOU REMEMBER COVID?
It was the first truly GLOBAL EVENT if you step back to think about it.
All the countries of the world are aware and acting on a SINGULAR FOCUS:
prevent or mitigate the spread of the DEADLY COVID-19.
As we watch GLOBAL EVENTS–our hearts as believers need to be ANCHORED BY GOD’S WORD!
Every day we each make a big choice. Each day we choose which master we will follow.
This is not about what we say because, with our mouths, most believers would readily
say that Christ is our Master.
Each day we point to our Master by our choices, our time investments, and our motivations
that drive our handling of money: those are the actions that speak louder than our words.
Those are the choices that clearly frame who really is the master of our lives.
As we turn again to 2 Peter 3 we see what Peter had heard way back there in the Sermon on
the Mount, with the disciples: that we can only serve one master at a time.
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure
minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets,
and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after
their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep,
all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were
of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store,
reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as
a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens
shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,
the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought
ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being
on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth,
wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may
be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved
brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some
things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as
they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also,
being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Right there,
at the start of His ministry, Jesus comes right to the point.
Choosing Which Master We’ll Follow
We have a choice of Master, and only one can be served. Peter held onto that truth all his days.
As we look at 2 Peter 3, note the repeated tone of Peter’s challenge. It is gentle, loving,
and urgent. Peter repeats the word “beloved” five times. That should jump off the page for us,
setting in our hearts the tone Peter has in this exhortation.
“Only one life to live and soon is past
Only what’s done for Christ will last!”
Hoping to make the time I have left count for the glory of God.
As we watch Israel, Gaza, Iran, Russia, Ukraine…global debt, global warming, weather gone wild, and all the other dangers unfolding–DO YOU REMEMBER COVID?