23 December
Bible in 365 Days 
2 Peter 1-3
2 Peter 1
This Epistle was addressed to the same persons as was the first. Its purpose was to strengthen them in view of dangers threatening them within the Church. Paul addressed them as having 'like precious faith" with himself. He first reminded them of great principles of preservation. All things pertaining to life and godliness are granted through the knowledge of Him who called them by His glory and virtue. Because of this perfect provision the saints are called to diligence in the development of their resources. Faith is the root principle, and this must be developed until it reaches the ultimate fruitage, which is love.
As Paul wrote, he was conscious of his approaching departure. He was remembering the glory that had flamed on him on the mount of transfiguration. On that mount he had heard the Lord speak of His exodus. He now used the same word in referring to his own departure. On the mount he had seen the "power" and "coming" of the Lord Jesus, and here he dealt with those two great facts. What he had then seen had confirmed the prophecies of the past, which had been a lamp shining in a dark place.
2 Peter 2
Turning to the subject of the perils threatening the Church, two are referred to - false teachers, and a materialization of mind which follows on such teaching. As in old days there were false prophets, so we are told there will be false teachers. Hence the necessity for watchfulness. The teachers referred to are those who deny the Lord. The apostle illustrated the effect of such false interpretation by the example of Lot, who, being a righteous man, yet lost his influence in Sodom.
In burning and searching words he described the characteristics of those whom he had in mind. After the severest denunciation he pictured them in their luxurious living, giving themselves over to every form of license. Balaam is given as an illustration of the evil of the love of hire. By two phrases he described graphically such teachers. They are "springs" luring thirsty souls with the hope of satisfaction, but "without water." They are "mists driven by a storm," and this tells the deepest truth concerning these men, who, so far from ministering rest and peace, are themselves servants of unrest and disturbance.
We find here no dainty handling of false teaching. Paul shows that the effect of false teaching is ever the denial of the power of Christ. Denying His Lordship issues in every form of evil. To deny the Lord in any particular is to loosen the bondage of the soul to Him, and to open the door for the incoming of all evil.
2 Peter 3
False teaching which denies the power of Christ issues in false thinking which denies the Coming of Christ. There will be mockers who will walk in lust and make sport of the great hope of the Church, declaring that things will ever continue as they have continued. To strengthen his readers against this peril, the apostle reminded them of the prophecies, and the commandment of the Lord, and said further that what appears to be delay is due to the long-suffering of God, with whom time does not exist.
The day of the Lord will come. It will be destructive. It will be constructive. We may hasten that day by holy living and godliness. The results of this knowledge should be diligence to create the character for which He will seek, to create it by loyalty to His Lordship, and patience during the delay.
The final exhortation is twofold. "Beware." To be forewarned is indeed to be forearmed. The certainty of the truth of the things of Christ will enable the trusting soul to detect error and to produce a carefulness and steadfastness in life. That marks the attitude of caution. "Grow standing in grace and knowledge"...the soul is in the soil and atmosphere for development. Let there be growth by response to these things. Growth is the condition of increasing strength and abiding steadfastness.
The writer ends with a brief and comprehensive doxology of glory to the Lord and Saviour in the present and the future; that is, in response to His power, and by way of His Coming. The soul is established against all possibilities of perils in Him both now and forever.
