SOAP 07/29/2016; 2 Peter 3:15-16

Today's reading: Isaiah 57, 58, 59; Psalm 103; 2 Peter 3

S) "¹⁵ and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, ¹⁶ as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction."

2 Peter 3:15-16 (NASB)

O) There are a few things going on with this passage. For one thing, context is showing us that Peter is again warning against false teaching. This time, he's addressing concerns about when exactly Jess will return. He advises us in the previous verse, that if we're looking forward to a reconciliation with Christ, and the new heavens and new earth, then we should be living a holy life. There is no delay with God, only His patience with humanity, for the sake of salvation (that's where we come in with thee passage above). Next, we see Peter affirming the teachings of Paul, while also warning against those who distort his teaching because it is apparently too difficult for them. This is then, both a warning about those who might deceive us (see also v.17), and a warning not to be one of the untaught and unstable. Part 2b of this, if we could call it that, is the possibility that Peter is even asserting that the letters Paul wrote are themselves Scripture. That is, that they have the same weight, status, or authority as the Old Testament, itself being God-breathed (see 2 Timothy 3:16). This last point could certainly be contested, but it is certainly a notable possibility.

A) The last observation might have the least application. It's no hill to die on. For years, I simply took it for granted that the Nee Testament was as God-breathed as the Old Testament, although the term "Scripture" used in the NT is never self-referential. Because the NT carries the authority of the apostles of Jesus, who themselves carry His authority, they are no less authoritative. This is really a semantic argument, and because of my personality, I must be careful not to be too distracted by such a thing. The much more important part, is that Peter is warning me to be holy as I wait for the return of my Lord (just as Jesus taught). He is warning me that some of the Bible is difficult to understand, and I must gain education about it (although it doesn't need to be of a formal type), and I must not be an unstable man. That term, "unstable," only appears a few places in the Bible. James warned that a man who doubts is double-minded and unstable, being tossed about by winds. That calls to mind the warning Jesus gave, that He must be my foundation, if I am to withstand the storms of life. The more I am standing firmly on Him as my foundation, the stronger my faith, the better I will understand Scripture (both OT and NT). This is really another example of the wholistic nature of my faith in Christ. It really must encompass every part of my life, of my thinking, of my practices. The more I am completely His, the more I am found in Him, the more strength and security I have.

P) Father, thank You for the Scriptures. Thank You for preserving and providing the recorded words of the prophets and apostles of Jesus. Thank You for confirming for us, Your will and words, that I may know You better. Thank You for Your Spirit, to increase my understanding of who You are, and who I am to be in Christ. Help me to be careful with Your word, God. Let me approach it humbly. Help me to not be distracted by petty arguments or debates about semantics. Let Your word feed my soul. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/28/2016; 2 Peter 2:1-3

Today's reading: Isaiah 53, 54, 55, 56; 2 Peter 2

S) "¹ But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. ² Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; ³ and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep."

2 Peter 2:1-3 (NASB)

O) Peter comes with some very strong words against false teachers in this chapter. The whole of this chapter is all but dedicated to this topic alone. When read all together, he leaves no room for doubt, that false teachers will incur some very strong judgment. Much of what he describes in these opening verses, alarmingly, I hear happening in churches right now. There are movements of people actually denying the lordship of Jesus Christ. There are groups who deny that we should confess our sins. Leadership in churches seem inevitably prone to falling into some kind of sexual sin, which becomes public, and invariably calls the attention of skeptics. Not only sexual sensuality, but other forms are tearing their sinful heads, as well. There are churches in the Charismatic Movement, chasing spirituality, which makes a mockery of the Holy Spirit, with things like being "drunk" in the Spirit, or even recently claiming to be "high" in the Spirit. Finally, but not at all most newly, there are those who use the gospel as a means of gaining money. There are things like the "seed faith" movement, claiming that if you send money to their organization, God will send you more money back. Or people asking for donations, and in return they promise to send "manna" or "heavenly gold dust" or other such unverifiable, temporal, and ultimately idolatrous items. Peter promises that God is not ignorant, and their judgment will indeed come to them.

A) The question for me, then, is what to do with this. What do I do in the face of false teaching. I really think there are three main things to do. First and foremost, I must leave their judgment to God alone. It is not up to me at all, to bring about the demise or downfall of a false teacher or a false prophet. Certainly, my heart is like my Father's, that I want everyone to be reconciled to Him, and that none should perish. I will pray that they experience a swift destruction (however that might look) that will bring them to the truth and to repentance. Second, and this is really seen in v.2, I think, I want to realign the way of the truth. One of the biggest problems that is presented when the gospel is perverted, is that it makes it harder to talk about the gospel with skeptics. The antidote to such poisoned thinking, is for me to show people the truth of the gospel at work in my own life. For me to live with moral integrity, and for me to walk in the fruit of the Spirit, this is a matter of glorifying the name of Jesus Christ, and showing people who He actually is with the reality my life in His life. Third, as Peter does in this entire chapter, I must warn other Christians. As much damage as can be done to the those outside the church, when false teachers introduce destructive heresies, it is the church that is at the most risk. After all, v.2 warns that it will be some in the church who follow the sensuality of those false teachers, and because of that failing, the way of truth will be maligned. My brothers and sisters must be warned against false doctrine, that can severely damage them as much as it can malign the gospel in the eyes of the skeptic. This is a critical element to this third point, though: just as Peter is apparently reluctant to name names, I must also be careful not to condemn specific people for what they teach. This is a delicate balance with the first response in this application. If there is a preacher, proclaiming a false view of the gospel, I must be careful not to warn people to be against that man, but to be diligent about recognizing the false doctrine he is presenting. I do not have to name names, which really gets dangerously close to gossip, for me to be able to warn people about false teaching. That can really start with pointing people back to what the Bible says in itself, about false teachers and false doctrines. False prophets and evil religious leadership has virtually always existed. The Bible talks about this systemic problem, going well back into the Old Testament. Referring people to these passages, and imploring my brothers and sisters to align themselves with the truth of Scripture, and to feed on it daily, that is the absolute best way to protect against false teaching. Second to that, I should absolutely warn against the specific, contemporary, popular lies that I hear permeating churches across the globe, and certainly more locally (in the country, or even my own city, as it happens). In all of this, my goal must be firmly set on glorifying God. I want people to know Him for who He truly is.

P) Father, thank You for giving me wisdom, some amount of wisdom. Thank You for softening my heart to the gospel, and opening my eyes and ears to the truth. I pray that my heart is ever after Your truth, and nothing less. May I never be deceived by false teachers and bad doctrine. Help me to lead my wife and kids well, to protect them from such evil influences. Let me teach my children to be wary of such insidious leaders. Help me to be bold about speaking truth in these situations, but also protect my heart that I am doing so humbly. Let me always leave room for Your grace, and Your vengeance, according to Your will and timing. Let me live a life that honors You, and brings people to the truth of the gospel. Help me to speak against false teaching, instead of against people. Let Your will be done in my life, and in the world. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/27/2016; 2 Peter 1:20-21

Today's reading: Isaiah 50, 51, 52; Psalm 92; 2 Peter 1

S) "²⁰ But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NASB)

O) Peter, like Paul (see 2 Timothy 3:16), is asserting that the prophets who wrote Scripture were not writing on their own. They were never predictions made by man. They were not asserting what they hoped, about God, their country, their salvation, or any other truth. The holy writings of Moses, Isaiah, or anyone else, are not holy because these men were extraordinarily wise, or had attained some kind of righteousness on their own. These writings are holy, not because of the scribe who recorded the words, but because of the God who dictated them.

A) There are a lot of wise men, good Christians with devout and honest lives, who are currently writing very good books. They are edifying, uplifting, encouraging, admonishing, but even the very best of them will never give me what the authoritative word of God will give me. Even historical, doctrinally sound writings, as good as they are, will only ever do so much for me. I am not a physical being, but a spiritual being that has a physical body. So, physical food is good for me, but not the same way spiritual food is (see Matthew 4:4). In the same way, I am not an intellectual being, but a spiritual being with an intellect. So, intellectual food will benefit me as well, but never like the spiritual food of God's words. Over the years, I have developed pretty good habits, when it comes to reading Scripture daily. Still, there is one more element to this passage that I want to make note to address. Peter says, "that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation," While I think the context shows us he meant from the standpoint of the writing of those prophecies, I also think it's important to note that prophecies, even once written, are not mine to interpret. With some biblical prophecies, the Bible itself declares them fulfilled in one way, or at one time, or another. This is similar to the way that Jesus revealed the meaning of his parables to His disciples. However, many prophecies have undefined fulfillment, or they are just unfulfilled (like the ones regarding the return of Christ, obviously). In those cases, I can speculate about the meaning or fulfillment of a prophecy, but ultimately, I must humbly confess that those are from my own understanding, and I am not the authority on them. Only God, the one who ultimately gave all legitimate prophecy, is the authority about how, when, or if a prophecy has been fulfilled (or interpreted correctly).

P) Father, Your grace continues to amaze me. Your perfect character continues to humble me. You are eternally wise, compassionate toward Your creation, and loving beyond measure. Thank You for giving us Your words, for speaking through the prophets that we might know Your will and Your ways. Let me continue to seek after Your truth, through the Bible as we have it. Let me continue to be fed spiritually by every word You have given. Open my eyes and ears, that I may continue to grow in my understanding about prophecies or anything about Your word to us. Let me always be found, humbly seeking the truth about what the Scriptures say. Please, never let me stand in the way of gaining a pure understanding of the truth about Scripture. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/26/2016; 1 Peter 5:8

Today's reading: Isaiah 46, 47, 48, 49; 1 Peter 5

S) "⁸ Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

1 Peter 5:8 (NASB)

O) We have an enemy, and in his closing thoughts of his letter, Peter reminds us of this reality. To be sure, in Jesus Christ we have every reason to believe we have victory over the devil. However, I think what Peter is getting at here, is that we have to be in Christ. Being of sober spirit seems to be a deeper warning than it would be to simply be sober (i.e., physically, or mentally sober). I think it's hard to argue that a person could be sober in spirit, if they are intoxicated in body. Particularly, the way our body tends to follow the lead of our inner self. If my spirit is directing my body, and my body is not sober, then my spirit was probably well on its way. Even more to the point, I think there is a danger that we could be spiritually dull, like a spiritual intoxication. That's why Peter says to be on alert! That would be the goal of sobriety in this case. To be truly spiritually alert, I think we really need to rely on the Holy Spirit, to lead and guide us. He is never deceived, never caught off guard. If our spirit is in sync, so to speak, with the Holy Spirit, then we will not become the devil's prey.

A) This is a pretty straight-forward instruction. It's a reminder that being sober is more than a blood-content issue. Also, this isn't just about me avoiding spiritually toxic things. Submitting myself actively to God, prayerfully and constantly, will keep me not only sober, but truly alert. When I am in for a long drive, a big road trip, it's not enough to to drive sober. I want to do things that will keep me alert. Spiritually, this means I should avoid sinful pitfalls, but I should also be taking in God's words daily, worshiping constantly, and sitting under godly teaching often.

P) Father, I want to glorify You always. Whenever I am reading Scripture, or singing Your praises, or hearing solid teaching, my spirit is livened within me, and I am full of a focused desire to glorify Your great name. It is when I am apart from those things, that my focus can become a little fuzzy, and temptations seem to creep in. I confess that my flesh is weak, though my spirit is willing. Help me to, not only remain spiritually (and physically) sober, but also be alert, Lord. Open my eyes and ears, God. I want to do a better, more consistent job of glorifying You. In this, I also never want to give the devil easy meals. Let Your will be done in my life, Father God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/25/2016; 1 Peter 4:4

Today's reading: Isaiah 43, 44, 45; 1 Peter 4

S) "⁴ In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;"

1 Peter 4:4 (NASB)

O) After describing how Christians have come out of all sorts of evil practices, but that we do them no longer, Peter assures us that the people who still practice these things will not at all like the fact that we do not. This harkens back to the previous chapter, when we are told to be ready to defend the hope we have. This verse, on the surface, seems to be a warning to us. However, when we read it in context with vv.12-14, we should really see this verse as a promise.

A) The main thing, I think, is to not run with them into the same excess of dissipation! This verse also gives me another look at the fact that that I shouldn't be isolated from the world, but I shouldn't be the same as the world, either. That can feel like a real struggle, sometimes. It's hard to willingly put myself in position to associate with people who are different from me, knowing that those differences will inevitably create friction between them and me. However, I must remember that my life is not about finding comfort. My life is about spreading the gospel, advancing God's kingdom, and glorifying Christ. So, I'll continue to make friends who are unbelievers, with guarded boundaries, and when they are surprised about our differences and even get a little heated, those will be my opportunities to share the gospel, defend my hope, and rejoice if I am persecuted for being like Christ.

P) Father, You deserve all glory and honor, God. I want to live above reproach, for the sake of glorifying Your name to the highest. Please forgive me for every sin in my life, for everything that could be used as ammunition against the gospel and Christ Jesus. Let Your grace continue to be bigger than any sin I commit. Help me boldly make friends, create friendships, with unbelievers. But, help me to always maintain righteous boundaries, that Your work of grace in me would be evident to them. Let that grace shine as a beacon of hope, that I may tell them of Yiyr love, grace, mercy, peace, and healing. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/24/2016; 1 Peter 3:15

Today's reading: Isaiah 40, 41, 42; 1 Peter 3

S) "¹⁵ but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;"

1 Peter 3:15 (NASB)

O) Many times, I have heard this verse quoted, but seldom have I heard it quoted entirely. Certainly, we should always be ready to give an account, to give our testimony, about what Christ has done for us and why we have hope. However, it is even more important that Christ is sanctified as Lord in our hearts. That is foundational, it is what will give us the hope in the first place, and it is what will prompt us to follow through on the last words of this command, as well. The gentleness and reverence mentioned, are actually tied to the choice of wording, using "give an account," to describe this testimony. In the context, Peter is talking about suffering persecution for doing what is right. He goes on to say that's it's even better to suffer for doing what is right, than for doing wrong, because it glorified God all the more. In the same way, it is our hope in the midst of such persecution, that will truly reveal just how true our faith is, and reveal Christ as Lord to others.

A) Bullies don't like it when their intimidation fails. In fact, the last couple days of reading, I just saw how Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came against Hezekiah in Judah. When his general, Rabshakeh, laid siege to Jerusalem, he tried to intimidate God's people. They had only recently returned to the LORD, under Hezekiah's reforms. When the threats didn't immediately work, the general asked why they thought they could resist. That is exactly the kind of picture Peter is describing. The call to give an account for our hope, with gentleness and reverence - for our persecutors - is about God taking a dire circumstance and turning it for His glory, just as He did through Hezekiah, Isaiah, and Jerusalem. So, I should certainly be ready to share my testimony with a stranger, if they show some interest in what makes me who I am. However, more importantly, I need to be sure I have exalted Christ as Lord in my heart, because there will be persecution. In those moments, when my faith is attacked, I had better be sure I know how to respectfully, gently, respond to detractors. The question that must always be at the forefront of my mind, is to wonder what will glorify my Lord the most. My words, and my attitude, must be in line with His will, especially when an opponent to the gospel is trying to tear me down.

P) Father, You are holy. You are sovereign, and I lay down my rebellion in submission to You as Lord, Christ. I raise the white flag of surrender. I know who I am, when I rebel against You, destined for destruction. I know who I have become in Christ, given life. In Christ, I have begun to understand Your love for me, and I have begun to understand just how deeply my love for You moves me to a life of submission to You, Lord. Give me wisdom and grace, Lord God, that in the face of any opposition, I may have both the words and attitude to best honor You as Lord in my heart, that You would receive all glory on earth as You do in heaven. If my testimony would ever be part of a person submitting themselves to Christ as Lord, then I am blessed to play a part. But, if my testimony never does, I pray that every time I speak it, every time I tell the reason for my hope in You, that You would be glorified in the utmost. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.