ROK-06
130303AM
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, with our time investments, and with 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. 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 Masters, 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. Please stand with me.
2 Peter 3:1-18 (NKJV) Beloved-1, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you 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 Savior
8 But, beloved-2, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
14 Therefore, beloved-3, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved-4 brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,
17 You, therefore, beloved-5, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Beware: Is Our Challenge
Peter loved his brothers and sisters so much that he warned them: Beware. The word translated “beware” means “be constantly guarding yourself.” Just like Paul had already said, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12, NKJV).
True believers can’t fall away from being saved, just from being solidly living out what they say they believe. Steadfastness is when what we say and what we do, lines up with God’s Word.
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