SEEING DEEP
with Denise Pass
BIBLE READING PLAN
Growing Up is Hard to Do
With four of my adult children transitioning to adulthood, my heart aches for the hardness that accompanies growing up. There are so many pitfalls and demands and sometimes it seems like it is hard to catch a break. But God makes the rough places smooth and perhaps we would not grow so much if everything were easy.
Bible Reading: 2 Peter
Since we are reading a new book of the Bible today, let’s look at some background information about 2 Peter. According to gotquestions.org, “The Book of 2 Peter was written toward the end of Peter’s life. Since Peter was martyred in Rome during the reign of Nero, his death must have occurred prior to A.D. 68. He very likely wrote 2 Peter between A.D. 65 and 68.
Purpose of Writing: Peter was alarmed that false teachers were beginning to infiltrate the churches. He called on Christians to grow and become strong in their faith so that they could detect and combat the spreading apostasy. He strongly stressed the authenticity of the Word of God and the sure return of the Lord Jesus.”
Growing Up Is Hard to Do—Growing in Hard Places
Peter wrote this book from a hard place himself, but he wrote from a perspective of strength. There is power available to us in this life. Power that enables us to grow in the grace of God. God did not save us and then leave us alone. He wants us to walk in relationship with Him and He has provided what we need to enable us to grow up and thrive – not just survive.
Growing Up Is Hard to Do—But God Provides
2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Growing Up Is Hard to Do—It takes effort
Friends, God has given us everything we need, but it takes effort on our part. How are we supplementing our faith? What are you doing to grow in your relationship with God? If we don’t grow, we die. There is no neutral. Like we need food daily for our physical bodies, our spirit needs nurturing daily to grow. 2 Peter 1:9-10 “9 The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble.” Every effort. Not minimal effort. We will have to resist the flesh and do hard work to make it through this life. Don’t be intimidated by that. God is with us.
Growing Up Is Hard to Do—Avoiding Pitfalls
This world has some troubles and some wicked people causing trouble. It will not be easy to always spot the pitfalls. Peter warns about exploitation from others. We need to be aware. 2 Peter 2:2-3 “2 Many will follow their depraved ways, and the way of truth will be maligned because of them. 3 They will exploit you in their greed with made-up stories. Their condemnation, pronounced long ago, is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep.”
Growing Up Is Hard to Do—Avoiding Pollution
Then there are those who will try to pollute us. Violating consciences and trying to influence people to live for the flesh and this world. But God can rescue us from that, too. 2 Peter 2:9-10 “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 especially those who follow the polluting desires of the flesh and despise authority.”
Growing Up Is Hard to Do—Avoiding Deception
Peter warns of slanderers and adulterers and deceivers. There will be influences in this world that try to pull us away. Their freedom is actually enslavement. “19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.”
Growing Up Is Hard to Do—Make Every Effort
Ending where we began, make every effort to grow in Christ, friends. 2 Peter 3:14 “Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.” “Don’t grow weary in doing good, for in due time you will reap a harvest” (Galatians 6:9). Don’t allow the traps and pitfalls in this world to pull you down and destroy your faith.
The day of the LORD is coming. Until that day, may we not shrink back and make every effort to be found faithful. 2 Peter 3:10-12 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness 12 as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat.”
Scripture of the Day: 2 Peter 1:3
“His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
Application
- When life feels to hard, God wants us to grow in that place by His grace.
- Knowing God is where it’s at. Every problem we encounter can be faced with God and His word counsels us.
- Don’t neglect His word and counsel that provide solutions to our every need.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧. Day #329: 2 Peter 𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” Join live: www.facebook.com/deniseduboispass
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