“Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 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. Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (2 Peter 3:1-7, NIV).
Show a video of polygraph test (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwUxY8xhAYg)
A polygraph test is known also as a lie detector test. I experienced it, when I was employed in the City Treasurer’s Office (Legazpi City) and there was a robbery. The result of the test showed that I was “positive,” which meant that I was telling a lie. My co-employees could not believe the result. They could not imagine that I did not tell the truth. Of course, I was more surprised, because I knew that all my declarations at that time were true.
Perhaps, in other instances in my life, I also lied.
But who among us who have never lied in their entire life?
But, our Holy Father does not like us to be liars or just to desire to tell lies, or entertain lies in our mind. He wants us to be holy and to think whatever is true.
GOD WANTS US TO HAVE WHOLESOME THINKING -- and that’s what we are going to focus on as we deal with our text (2 Peter 3:1-7).
So, how could we have wholesome thinking?
Again, be reminded that 2 Peter was addressed then to the believers, who were bombarded with false teachings and he encouraged them to hold on to the truth.
He pointed out that they have the Scripture that they could completely rely on, because its message was not just the idea of men, but it is of God. And those who would distort it, or who would believe and live not in harmony with it would certainly suffer punishment from God.
After Peter made his point that “the Lord knows how… to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:9), he portrayed in the succeeding verses how the unrighteous – the false teachers or false believers were doing.
In verse 13, Peter cited that they were even fellowshipping with the true believers. And he added in verses 21-22:
“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. Of them the proverbs are true: ‘A dog returns to its vomit,’ and, ‘A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.’”
Peter would like to awaken or to stir the pure minds of the true believers, not only to see the danger of false teachers or false believers, but how they could maintain a pure mind or to have wholesome thinking.
In our time, when the air is polluted with the attractive melody of false teachings, false hopes, false values, false security, etc., let’s be sure that our mind is not being contaminated. But, how? How can we have pure, refreshing, wholesome thoughts flowing in our mind?
First, REMEMBER THE WORD OF GOD (verse 2).
Peter wrote in verse 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.”
In the New Living Translation, we read:
“I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.”
Peter told his readers, “I want you to recall…” or “I want you to remember…”
After he enumerated in the previous chapter the wrong behaviors or actions and destructive words made by the unrighteous, the false teachers or false believers, Peter would like his readers to remember something else.
In chapter 2, he pointed out that the unrighteous, “those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority” (verse 10) would unleash words of “slanderous accusation” (vv. 11-12), “empty, boastful words” (v. 18), deceitful or false promises (vv. 18-19). Instead of allowing their minds to be filled with those negative words, Peter exhorted the believers then “to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.”
In short, to remember the Word of God.
Remember that in chapter 1, we learn that what the prophets said in the Old Testament was not just the product of their own will, but they “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (v. 21). And in the New Testament what the apostles declared was actually “what our Lord and Savior commanded.” This command did not just refer to a particular one, like to love one another, or to believe in Him, but included the whole declaration in the New Testament, like “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Peter exhorted His readers to remember the written Word, both the writings in the Old and the New Testament.
Surely, in this world, what dominates is anything that will appeal to our fleshly, earthy and sinful desires. Entertainments, behaviors, even beliefs that pamper the self could easily attract us. And there’s the tendency to measure what is true, what is right, what is precious by that kind of self-pleasing standard.
In our sinful nature, it is not normal for us to give, but to get or to receive. Ever our mind just wants to absorb or accept just anything – even what is false standard, false ideas, false beliefs, false values – be reminded of what the Regional Director of the Philippine National Police in Region 6, General Binag, said that our decision should have “eternal value.”
When we are pressured by destructive thoughts, let’s stimulate our mind with wholesome thinking. As we read in Philippians 4:8:
“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
And what is the thing that is true, that is noble, that is right, that is pure, that is lovely, that is admirable? Is there anything that is excellent, or praiseworthy than the Word of God?
Even the so-called “positive thinking” method promoted by self-help or “inspirational” books in the market is far behind it.
To have wholesome thinking, we need more than the pep talk of the positive or motivational speakers. We need to remember the Word of God.
So, saints, what are the things that we could easily remember? Excuses? The pain inflicted to us by others? The standard promoted by the world? The superficial belief, actually false belief, that it is enough to worship God just for 1 or 2 hours a week? Or, we can believe any Jesus, or swallow any preaching of the Bible, though it is out of context?
Saints, remember the Word of God.
Young ones, instead of allowing your mind to dwell in the things or experiences that dazzle the youth in the community, why not remember the Word of your heavenly Father? The Bible tells us, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth…” (Ecc. 12:1.)
Once young and everyone, if we also hear slanderous accusations, empty or boastful words, or attractive, but deceitful promises, let us not absorb them. Let us not also buy the idea of this world that to have more, to accumulate more would bring us security or satisfaction. Rather, let’s remember the Word of God.
In the ESV, the Psalmist declared in Psalm 119:162, “I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil” and in verse 16, “I will delight in your statutes, I will not forget your word.”
Aside from remembering God’s Word, how could we have wholesome thinking?
Second, REPEL THE SCOFFER’S WORDS AND DESIRES (verse 3-5).
Let’s read verses 3-5, “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.”
In order to stimulate them to wholesome thinking, Peter would like also his readers to realize that there would be scoffers and he implied that their words and desires should be rejected, resisted, or repelled.
These unrighteous people would assault the Word of God. And Peter pointed out they that would not hesitate to cast doubt even on one of God’s important promise: the return of Jesus Christ.
According to Peter, they would say: “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?...” And he inferred that those words or desire to sow doubt on the testimony of the Living God should never be entertained in the mind. They should be repelled.
In our time, we may not hear that others are saying, “Where is this ‘coming he promised?” But, we may note that in their behavior, they act as if Christ is not coming back at all.
We read in Hebrews 10:2, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
If one is in the habit of giving up meeting with other believers, especially in worship, he could display his indifference, not only for encouraging others, but even for the coming of Christ. And that wrong desire should be repelled.
One may not assault the promise of Christ to return, but he could express doubt or disbelief in other testimonies of the Bible.
Though Jesus said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15), yet one could plan or desire to build more or bigger houses, buy more vehicles, maintain more bank accounts, etc.
Though Jesus said:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” – yet, one could hesitate or resist to give to the poor or to his local church; because of his worry, he prioritized his financial income for his/her personal needs or obligations.
We need to repel any thought that weakens or destroys our resolve to follow or practice the Word of God. In fact, we should not linger in the presence of those who promote doubt, distortion, or disbelief in the Word. We read in Psalm 1:1:
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.”
Never allow our mind to be corrupted by those who promote materialism, who proclaim worldly practices, or who preach another Jesus. Never tolerate the words of those who assault God’s Word to deceive us. Repel their “desirable (as it may sound),” but actually destructive words.
How about us once young and young ones in the church, do we assault the Word of God? Do we believe all His promises? Do we obey all His commands? Do we always hunger for His testimonies?
We may not say, “Where is this ‘coming he promised?” – but, do we believe and obey, for instance, Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”?
Ordinarily, could we really rejoice always? Of course, not. When we are in pain, we could not. If we are bothered with a great problem, we could not rejoice. But, the passage tells us to rejoice “in the Lord” – not exactly when our heart, our pocket, our health is aching. But though we suffer, we can rejoice not because of the pain, but because we are “in the Lord.”
In fact, that verse was “sandwiched” between two verses that showed why believers could rejoice always. In verse 3, Paul pointed out their names are in the book of life, and in verse 4, “The Lord is near.”
So, if we tell ourselves, that we could only rejoice if are in comfort, in convenience, in vacation, in earthly pleasure, in perfect health, in promotion, or in whatever blissful state, repel those declarations and desires.
Finally, in order to have wholesome thinking…
Third, REASSERT THE POWERFUL EFFECT OF THE WORD (verses 5-7).
We read in verses 5-7, “But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”
Peter told the Christians then that those who attacked God’s Word with doubt or disbelief, “deliberately forget” the power of His Word.
The scoffers knew that creation came into being just through the utterance of God. They were aware that through His pronouncement the whole earth was destroyed by water. And yet they doubted that God could accomplish the word of His promise.
So, Peter would like his readers not to forget what the Word could powerfully accomplish. In fact, he added:
“By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”
Peter implied that Christians in the midst of false beliefs, false values, false hopes, false pleasure, etc. ought to reassert the powerful effect of God’s Word.
Many are also aware of God’s declaration in the Bible, yet they forget – deliberately forget – what He said or what great result that happened or would happen, because of His Word.
They know that the Sovereign God thundered these words in Isaiah 55:10-11:
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Yet, though God’s Word declared that His followers would not be lost from His hands, others would set aside His promise and falsely believe that He could forsake them and allow them to be separated from His love.
When they would hear those words, or are tempted to feel that way, they need to reassert these words in Psalm 73:23-24, “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.”
Once young and young ones in the church, let’s imagine ourselves, we are undergoing a polygraph test and we have to answer the following questions:
Do we acknowledge there is power in God’s Word?
Are we also willing to reassert – not only we affirm, but we show or make our confidence clear -- on the powerful effect of His Word, especially in our lives?
Through His Word, though we do not see Jesus, can we really love Him?
Through His Word, though we do not see Him now, can we entrust our whole life in Him?
Through His Word, even though we have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials, can our heart be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy?
Through His Word, can we live holy and godly lives, as we wait eagerly for the day of God to come?
Through His Word, though we could foresee difficulties ahead, can we approach the future without apprehension, but with hope and boldness?
Through His Word, can we love, forgive and pray for blessing to those persons who offended us?
Through His Word, instead of offering excuses, can we render our service or share out talent to the body of Christ, or to His local church?
And through His Word, though we have financial needs, can we still give generously and cheerfully to the needs of the church?
Truly, in the midst of falsity that permeates in this world, we can reassert the powerful effect of God’s Word.
In closing, we quoted as we start the impression of Paul on the unrighteous or false believers in 2 Peter 2:21. He said, “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.”
Notice that they knew the way of righteousness. Unfortunately, God’s Word had not affected them.
They turned their backs on the “sacred command” – they were not interested in the sacred declaration of God. Not because the God’s Word is ineffectual. God’s Word has unlimited power. Through His Word, from nothing could come out something.
They turned their backs on the sacred Word, not because it is not appealing.
The Psalmist declared, “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”
Actually, God’s Word was not really intended for them. They could not perceive the wonder of His Word. They were not “energized” to act on His Word.
It’s my prayer that each one of us here will behold the wondrous things of His Word.
Then, we will love to remember His Word, repel the scoffer’s words and desire, and reassert the powerful effect of His Word.
