2 Peter 3:17-18
The 2024 Summer Olympics games have begun. Athletes from around the world have gathered in Paris with each having the goal in mind to represent their country well and win the gold. Through much effort and training they want to be rewarded at the end of their event.
In a similar thought we who run this Christian race want to finish well for our Lord and receive His reward when we stand in His presence. Peter, in writing to these believers, realizes that his race is nearly run. He tells them that in ch 1:14. It won’t be long until he will be put to death in Rome. So, what does he say to these saints? Peter has shared with them his desire for them to grow in the Lord. He has warned them about false teachings, and about looking for the Lord’s return in the light of scoffers. As he draws his letter to a close, he does something a little unusual. When he closed his first letter, he gave a normal salutation at the end. But he doesn’t do that here. He closes with a clear challenge, and his challenge is to finish well.
Keep in mind that this is coming from the same man who, years before, had denied knowing Jesus. You remember the story—while in the upper room Jesus tells Peter that Satan had desired to sift him as wheat and to the disciples that they would all be offended in Him that night. Peter boldly speaks up, saying that though all the rest may do that, he never would and that he was willing to die for Him. Jesus told him that before the cock crowed, he would deny Him three times. Jesus told Peter, “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Why do I mention that now? Because that is exactly what Peter is doing in this letter. The word “strengthen” that Jesus used that night is found in this letter three times, and the last is in our text, though it is translated using the word “stedfastness”. Peter is strengthening these saints, saying that his desire for them is that they stay true to the Lord and finish well. That’s the thought of my heart. In light of the Lord’s return, we need to finish well. What does Peter say about finishing well?
Guard Your Mind
As he is about to close this letter, Peter once again calls them “beloved”—a word that could easily be spoken like this—my dearly loved ones. This rough, gruff fisherman of days past has a tender heart for the family of God. His words reveal just how much they mean to him. He calls them beloved five times in this chapter alone. He cares so deeply for them, that he says to be on guard lest their minds are swayed from the truths that they have heard and know.
Read Ch 1:12-15: Three times, he uses the word “remembrance”. He is saying, don’t let slip away what you know is right, and now he tells them that the things they know don’t get away from them. Peter is saying that he has shared with them things they already know. They know it’s all the truth. That’s what preaching and pastoring is all about. It isn’t coming up with some new idea never heard before but reminding God’s people of what they already know.
Now, he says beware or keep watch and guard yourselves, which is a military term. The danger is that if they don’t guard their minds, they could be swayed by the false teachers and teachings of the day. Peter says the danger is in being led away and falling from their own steadfastness. Peter knows how easily it can happen. He knows that there are those speaking enticing words, smooth words that can sway even them. He is concerned lest they are led away and fall away from the very truths they have been taught. It can happen to any of us. There are churches, people, pastors, and teachers of truth in days past that have changed their beliefs. Things they once stood on and believed they no longer do. Change is happening in many denominations, in seminaries, and in pulpits everywhere.
We are on a dangerous journey through life, and we need to heed the warning Peter gave to these believers lest we be carried off into some false ideas. He is saying, “Stay the course; don’t lose your footing and fall.” The pressures of society, the compromise of others, and the false doctrines taught in our day cause many to let down their guard and give in to ungodly ideas. But I want to finish well in representing my Lord and the truth that He has entrusted to me. When it comes that I can no longer pastor, I want people to remember that I was faithful to preach the word of God.
Grow in Grace
The word “grow” is a word that in the Greek is a command to be done continuously; keep on growing. Somehow, we have the idea that as we grow older in life, we don’t need to grow spiritually anymore, but there is never a time that we stop growing. Grace in the mind of Peter wasn’t just something we needed to be saved, but something we must have day by day to live right until the Lord calls us home. Read what he said to them in the opening verses of the letter—ch 1:2-3. We find all that we need to live for Him through His power and grace. Someone said it this way, “God has given us all the resources of heaven to grow in the image of Christ and remain steadfast in Him. If we don’t grow and progress in grace our entire lives, we run the risk of being carried away by false teachers.” Grace was vital at the start of our journey with Jesus, and it will get us safely all the way to the other side of life. But why does Peter say grow in grace? Because life is tough and full of unexpected events—sickness, sorrows, struggles of life, temptations, and disappointments are always a possibility. We need grace! Peter wrote in his first letter about the “manifold temptations” that we all face. Then a couple chapters later about the “manifold grace of God”. The word “manifold” speaks of various colors or kinds. There is grace to match every temptation or trial we face. There is grace for a pink slip, a blue Monday, a terrible Tuesday, a trying Thursday, a frustrating Friday. There is grace for days of pain, sorrow, or feeling overwhelmed.
He added another thought—“in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” These two things must work hand in glove. The more we lean on the grace of God and grow in it, the more we learn about our Savior and His love and care for us. It keeps us on solid footing, not swaying or stumbling at things we hear. You see, it’s not only the false teachings of those who misrepresent our Lord, but it is the inaccurate ideas of a world controlled by Satan. Satan has his forces at work to discourage and defeat us in this life. The way we grow in knowledge of Him is in His word daily and through prayer. There is no way under heaven that we grow as Christians if we fail to do those two things.
Glorify the Lord
Peter says that “glory”, or doxa, belongs to Him right now and also forever. It is the glorification of all He is. There will be a day that we’ll praise Him in heaven saying, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power.” But Peter says, not just then but He is worthy of glory right now!
The Lord Jesus Christ meant everything to Peter. Peter ends the letter with praise unto the Lord. I’m sure that, like most of us, he had much that he wished he could change looking back over his life, but he longed to finish well. You see, it wouldn’t be long until Nero would send his soldiers to come looking for him. He would be arrested, convicted, and sentenced to die by crucifixion. Peter told them he wasn’t worthy to die as his Lord died, so he said for them to crucify him upside down—and they did. He was facing the end of the way with glory in his soul and praise on his lips. Isn’t that a glorious way to finish?
Maybe you look back over your life and see where you’ve failed the Lord in many ways, just like Peter, but you can still finish well. The way to finish well is to make much of Jesus in your life. Put Him first in all things; make Him the focus of all you do, and follow His ways. How about you, don’t you desire to finish life well? Vance Havner said once that although you may have failed Him much in life you can still make Him Lord of what’s left.
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