I have been encouraging and providing people insights for fifty plus years. When people talk with me the first time, I often fail to ask them an important question: "What are you expecting?" Like many of you, I find a primary fact true: What people expect determines (a) how they listen and (b) their attitude. When a person's expectations are misfocused, his or her reactions frequently result in some form of personal discouragement.
Many first century Christians falsely expected Jesus Christ to return quickly (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2). In this Thessalonians' statement, Paul indicated spirits, messages, and writings declared Jesus Christ's return had already occurred. Even John in Revelation depicted souls of martyrs under a heavenly altar asking God why He is waiting to avenge their deaths (Revelation 6:9-11).
The questions, "Has Jesus Christ already returned?" or "Why is God waiting so long to send Jesus Christ back?" are almost as old as the beginning of Christianity. (Paul's answer was, "Not until ... [2 Thessalonians 2:3]. Peter's answer is found in his statement: "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" [2 Peter 3:9]). God's investment in our salvation is enormous! He even wants the rebellious and wicked to repent! Consider the parables of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the disloyal steward (Luke 16:1-13), and the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-15). Obviously, God does not look at situations as we do.
In every age, those who dare to be Christians encounter opposition--even in the first century! Spiritual discouragement is not unique to 21st century Christians! Even some of the first Christians were so discouraged they longed for relief! Peter wrote to discouraged Christians! His second writing was to stir their memory.
An important part of countering discouragement was remembering. Remembering what? (1) Remembering God's plans were confirmed by the prophets (the writers of what we call the Old Testament--which was the scripture that most first century Christians used). (2) Remembering Jesus Christ's commandments declared through the apostles.
Peter wanted his readers to know discouragement was to be expected. There would be Christians who lived to satisfy their physical desires. There would be Christians asking questions calculated to discourage believers: "Why has Jesus Christ not come back? (Has he abandoned you? Does he not keep his promises?) Everything is just the same--the world has not changed! (Should things not be different because of Jesus' influence and teachings?)"
Peter said these discouragers did not consider everything. I presume Peter's context from the end of chapter 2 continues. When Christians are the source of discouragement to Christians, the impact of the discouragement increases! The discouragers did not consider the fact that God destroyed the world by water. God proved He can destroy His creation! God's warning that a destruction of this world by fire is coming must be taken seriously. Ungodliness will not prevail!
The concept of "kept for the day of judgment" is a reoccurring theme in 2 Peter. The same concept is used in regard to wicked angels (2:4); in regard to the unrighteous (2:9); and possibly in regard to discouraging Christians speaking empty promises (2:17, 19).
Just as God revealed Jesus on earth as Savior (1:16-18), God will reveal Jesus to earth again in preparation for the judgment (3:7 in its context). The ungodly Christians who advance their lustful desires and discourage those who place their confidence in Christ will be held accountable for their destructive acts and attitudes.
In every age there are people who exploit God's grace expressed in kind forgiveness. There is a vast difference between depending on God's grace and attempting to exploit God's grace to advance physical desires. When anyone depends on God's grace, he or she (1) believes Jesus came from God, (2) believes Jesus came to earth to do God's will, (3) believes Jesus is a human's access to God, (4) trusts God's accomplishments in Jesus' death (atonement for our sins; redemption from our wickedness; the power of permanent forgiveness), (5) trusts God's accomplishments in Jesus' resurrection (the total defeat of death seen (a) in God's power to restore life after death occurs, and (b) in the power to sustain the new existence), and (6) believes access to this new existence is available to everyone who places his or her confidence in God through Jesus Christ. That dependence expresses itself in obedient commitment to a lifestyle defined by God and consistent with God's character.
Seeking to exploit God's grace is a conscious effort (1) to demean God, (2) to take advantage of the faith of those who trust God, (3) or both. In one of numerous ways, it is the deliberate attempt to have God's kind blessings while justifying living for physical indulgence or/and physical ambitions. It claims to belong to God while living for one's own godless agenda. Such existence specializes in deception. God holds such people in contempt.
Because God values people, never think you can deceive God.
For Thought and Discussion
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 12