4. Thoughts In 2 Peter - Number Four - Stirrers In The Lord – Peter Is A Correct Stirrer - 2 Peter 3:1-2 Series

4. THOUGHTS IN 2 PETER - NUMBER FOUR - STIRRERS IN THE LORD – PETER IS A CORRECT STIRRER - 2 PETER 3:1-2

PART 1 – THE INTRODUCTION

We live in the days of professional stirrers. These agitators seem to be found at every protest, whether it be political, environmental, “gay rights”, mining opposition, fake climate change, rights for Hamas, etc. It is not far wrong to believe that that type of protest is negative and often isolationist. Whether anyone is helped by it in the long run, is a debatable issue. Many of these staged protests have as their basis, the disruption of government with the aim of introducing Marxism.

In the past two decades the alleged reasons for these protests are becoming more sinister and anti-Christian. The marching for more homosexual rights, and Black Lives Matter, and protests organised by the Marxist arm of politics become more deviant. In free, western democracies, more protests and disruptions are being caused by Islam, with hate marches against Israel and democratic governments. Professional agitators or stirrers if you wish, are usually bad because how often do you hear of this in Christian ranks? The closest Christians ever come to any form of protest, are the Rights to Life gatherings.

Peter introduces a stirring of his own in 2 Peter 3:1.

{{2 Peter 3:1 “This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in WHICH I AM STIRRING UP your sincere mind by way of reminder,”}} (NASB).

With this verse he reveals one of the chief purposes for writing this epistle while addressing all those who have received a like common faith (2 Peter 1:1). He says, “I am stirring up your sincere mind.” This word “stirring up” can be thought of as, rousing up, challenging, provoking, goading and stimulating.”

A Christian who thinks he/she has “made it” and does not need anything else is greatly deluded. We are never complete in the Lord while living on earth, but progress from grace to grace; from one step to the next, from one revelation of Christ to another, until we are complete in heaven.

Now that should cause the preaching among us to be bold and forthright regarding the message being preached as we rouse up, challenge, encourage, and goad the followers of Christ in their commitment and faithfulness to the blessed Lord. We must challenge the hearers, stir them to good works and deeper commitment to spiritual things, AND to one another.

Several thoughts spring from this. Firstly, we Christians need the same stimulation and challenge that the gospel message contains; just the emphasis is changed. Somehow it is thought correct to challenge the unsaved for a life-changing commitment to Christ, yet in preaching and teaching ministries, there is reluctance to challenge or stimulate the Christian in the matters of holy living, and promoting Christ through godly training and witness. (You might lose some from the church).

I suspect part of the reason for this is fear. There is a fear some church ministers have, that if they challenge their congregations as they ought to, (because God’s word does it!) then people might get the huff and leave or/and the finances might be down, and they might lose their “job”. This fear of man brings a snare, and that snare is a denial of the truths of the bible. Far too often church pastors and ministers are riding the popularity train, or they don’t want to rock the boat, or upset the apple cart.

Christians need this stimulation; they need to be stirred up to be good soldiers of Christ. We are in a battle in this world, not continual spectators living like tourists. There is a fight to be fought and we need to heed this – {{2 Timothy 2:3-4 “SUFFER HARDSHIP WITH ME AS A GOOD SOLDIER OF CHRIST Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”}}

Jesus said something that is often dismissed to our peril and the detriment of Christian growth – {{Matthew 10:37-39 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me and he who does not TAKE HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW AFTER ME is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life shall lose it and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it.”}}

That passage is all about priorities. A man who seeks to have his priorities correct will not object to his life being challenged. He will respond to the opportunity to have his life challenged and moulded into Christ. The old nature will resist that because it is so corrupt and stubborn and will not concede to God. We don’t understand just how awful this old nature we are born with is, when examined in the light of God’s great holiness and purity.