SHINE LIKE RED DELICIOUS APPLES!
Based on 2 Peter 3
Once we reach our cruising altitude of spiritual maturity, we should have no problem recognizing false teachers (the rotten apples among us); and, when we do recognize them, we would be well advised to distance ourselves from their false teaching, so that, rather than be blemished by the rottenness of their doctrine, we can shine like red delicious apples.
This is not to say that any of us is better than anyone else. It is to say that the task of spreading the gospel would be better served if we keep our focus on the message rather than any messenger – including messengers of truth - simply because the messenger is human and, therefore, imperfect.
Who among us is perfect? Not one. Yet, as we become more like Jesus, we develop the mind of Christ; and, having the mind of Christ, we are blessed with the gift of discernment; and that gift enables us to make a distinction between a messenger of truth and one who tweaks the message to suit himself and his own selfish desires.
It was this very problem that prompted Peter to write both of his letters.
In 2 Peter 3:1-2, he tells us the reason why he wrote both of his epistles . . .
Do you ever need to be reminded of anything?
Do you remember everything that you are reminded of?
Peter reminded believers of the essentials they needed to remember.
This apostle - who once denied Christ - is now willing to die for Christ in order to convince all believers that Christ is the central figure of Christianity. Our minds should be focused on Him! Peter was anxious for Christians to remember that the Old Testament foretold Christ . . . the gospels tell about the coming of Christ to this earth to become our Lord and Savior . . . the apostles spread the message of Christ after the ascension of Christ to keep the gospel alive.
He said it is now up to all Christians to continue spreading the story of God’s love – but as you share the gospel, remember that Christ is the central figure; He must be central in your thinking.
In short, Peter said that he wrote these two letters “to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.” He cautions us - whenever we hear the Word of God preached - to “think it through” in light of the teachings of Christ – and, if the preaching and teaching center on Christ, take it seriously; if not, treat it cautiously. Christ must be the CENTER of our Christian faith!
The problem Peter was most concerned about is addressed in the next two verses – 2 Peter 3:3-4 . . . Let me just say this: Anytime anybody tries to trip you up, they most likely will do so by asking a question intended to raise doubts in your mind.
The question scoffers asked first century Christians was this: “What has happened to the promise of His coming?”
This technique was not new to this particular New Testament situation. In Malachi’s day, the scoffers asked, “Where is the God of judgment?” (2:17)
The heathen questioned the Psalmist. “Where is thy God?” (42:3)
Jeremiah’s enemies demanded an answer to this question:
“Where are you getting this word of the Lord that you preach?”
In every instance, the implication of the question was that the thing or the person asked about must be a delusion and therefore does not exist.
As the early church began to gather momentum, there were those who scoffed at Christians; the scoffers took aim at the promise Jesus had made that He would come again.
These doubters challenged the Christian teaching concerning the Second Coming of Christ in two different ways. (1) They asked a question. (2) They made an assertion.
The question: “What has happened?” “Where is He?”
The assertion: Nothing cataclysmic has happened since the beginning of time. So, why worry about something as cataclysmic as the return of Christ would be? No, everything just goes along as usual.
Hold on, said Peter. These scoffers don’t know what they’re talking about. They are overlooking three of the greatest events the world has ever known - 2 Peter 3:5-7 . . .
The scoffers had said that nothing of cataclysmic proportions had ever happened; the world had just gone along as usual - people being born, living and dying - and apparently that cycle will never be interrupted.
Not so, says Peter. Have you scoffers forgotten that the heavens were brought into being . . . after that, the earth appeared - his reference being of course to the creation of the heavens and the earth by the Lord God of this universe? “Wouldn’t you call those creation events cataclysmic?”
Have you scoffers forgotten that the land on which you stand did not exist until God caused the waters to recede so that land appeared? Moreover, have you forgotten that, at the command of God, those same waters flooded the land so that all living beings, except those on the Ark of refuge, perished?
Can anything be more cataclysmic than those acts of God!?
Indeed, says Peter, there will be something even more cataclysmic than the flood! There will come a time when the heavens and the earth, as we know them today, will be destroyed by fire as part of God’s plan of judgment for evil doers.
Mature Christians are aware that judgment day is coming; but, we are also aware that, when that time comes, the Word of God promises “a new heaven and a new earth” for the righteous – and what a great day that will be for believers!
Then, in 2 Peter 3:8-9, Peter answers the question “What has happened? Where is He who promised to come?” . . .
Peter points out that God’s concept of time is very different from ours; so no one can base their denial of the Second Coming on the argument that it hasn’t happened yet, therefore it will not happen.
It is humanly impossible to fit God into some kind of time frame. The God of this universe always has been, is now, and forevermore shall be. So, with God, time is not of the essence; however, with us, it is.
Peter says there is a very good reason for the delay in the second coming of Christ: God is not willing that anyone should perish!
This old world had better realize that time (the dash) must be regarded as an opportunity to repent and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found.” “Now is the accepted time for salvation.”
Folks need to respond to God’s invitation while there is time!
In 2 Peter 3:10, Peter tells us that the Day of the Lord will come . . . The “Day of the Lord” is a concept that runs all the way through the Bible; in the Old Testament, it had to do with judgment to come; in the New Testament, the term is used in connection with the Second Coming of Christ. Whether OT or NT, it means that judgment will be associated with the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Now, regardless of how and when that Day will come, we need to keep one top priority in mind: We must be prepared!
In the remaining verses, Peter challenges us to live a life worthy of our salvation and to be eager to serve Him and please Him in all that we do -
2 Peter 3:11-14 speaks for itself with no explanation needed . . .
Peter then reminds us one more time to avoid the pitfalls of those who seek to undermine the Christian faith (verses 15-17) - and in verse 18 he concludes with an admonition and a word of praise: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forevermore. Amen.”
Keep on maturing in your Christian faith so that you will shine like a red delicious apple! Amen.
