Bible Ballistics: Alert? Pt. 3, March 30, 2014 Vol.3 #20
Since this week would be our regular Q&A time I’d like to write just a short follow-up in regard to being on the alert. We have so much going on around us and we need to be on ‘spiritual alert’ for our Lord. As Peter closed his second letter he reminds us of the necessity to keep a true perspective and to “be diligent ….”. Let’s walk our way through.
2 Peter 3:11-18, “ Seeing then that
all these things shall be dissolved, (earthly things)
what manner of persons ought ye to be
in all holy conversation
and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, (be ready)
wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we,
according to his promise,
look for new heavens and a new earth,
wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, (SO)
seeing that ye look for such things,
be diligent that ye may be found
of him
in peace,
without spot,
and blameless.
15 And account that (take notice)
the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;
even as our beloved brother Paul also
according to the wisdom
given unto him
hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles,
speaking in them of these things;
in which are some things hard to be understood,
which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest,
as they do also the other scriptures,
unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved,
seeing ye know these things before,
beware lest ye also,
being led away with the error of the wicked,
fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace,
and in the knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
In other words, pay attention to the ‘Word of God’. Remember that this world is ‘temporary’ and will not last, so make sure you are investing in the eternal. Don’t fall for all the lies of the enemy/the world but know truth and share it.
How do I do this? By walking with Jesus. Paul gives a great lesson about walking diligently in Philippians 3:7-15,
“But what things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for
the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and do count them but dung,
that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him,
not having mine own righteousness,
which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ,
the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him,
and the power of his resurrection,
and the fellowship of his sufferings,
being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained,
either were already perfect:
but I follow after,
if that I may apprehend that
for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:
but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark
for the prize
of the high calling of God
in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, (mature)
be thus minded:
and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,
God shall reveal even this unto you.”
So, forget the past,
keep your eyes on Jesus
and press on toward HIS MARK—oneness with God (See John 17:21).
Seeking God’s gain, not the world’s—‘lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven’ (Matt 6:18-20) not on earth. God never forgets your work for Him, and His accounting is always correct. (Is 59:18 and Romans 2:6). Have a blessed week watching for and listening to God’s Spirit as He speaks and leads your steps. Be on the ‘alert’, be diligent, every day! Today!