2 Peter 2:8

"(for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds) -"

Context: God will deal with those who are bad.  Even though it seems like they are living life the way they want with no judgement falling on them, be patient it will.

The reason that God has to deal with the bad person - besides the obvious reason that they are choosing to live life in a way that is harmful to themselves and others - is because it is torment for the good people to endure their presence.  To see their actions and to hear what the bad people have been up to hurts a lot.  So God will deal with them to make this place a better place.

The Air Conditioner

At my school, my classroom that I have my desk in has an air conditioner and heating unit up in the middle of the ceiling.  To turn it on or off requires the use of a remote control.  Same goes goes for changing any of the settings, of which there are quite a few.

Before we leave at the end of the day, the last teacher out must turn off the AC/Heating unit.  As it is now summer, it if very much just the AC.  I waited behind for another teacher who tends to stay later than the rest of us.  She was locking things up while I straightened the chairs and books.

Then she reached for the remote control, pointed it at the AC, and pushed the off button.  Then she put it down and started to leave.  I paused.  The AC unit was still on.  She had pointed it at the unit, but not at the receiver.  She had pushed the off button, but without the control being pointed specifically in the right place, the AC didn't know to turn off.  The remote said the AC was off.  The AC was still on.

I tried to explain that you had to point to a specific place for the instructions from the control to get to the AC and that the AC makes a beeping noise when those instructions are received.  She pointed out the control said it was off.  I pointed a finger at the clearly turned on AC and said that it didn't matter what the control said, the AC was still on.

Our relationship with God is often the same way.  Heck, our relationships with those around us and those we claim to care about are often this way.  We pray, we preach, we tell others how to live their lives... but without that connection to God it is all meaningless.

Quick disclaimer, I am not a fan of anyone lecturing another on how to live their lives.  We are all adults.  Still, there is a time and a place.  If you don't have that connection to God, you might very well not do a thing when you think you are.  You have to listen for Him to talk back to you, otherwise, you aren't being a very good steward.

2 Peter 2:4-7

Context: We have been talking about people who try to teach us things about God that isn't true.  How they can manipulate people because they and their followers seek power at the price of Jesus' reputation.

"4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked"

Here are examples of how God has not tolerated bad people.  Has not tolerated those who lead others astray.  Has not allowed bad people and activities to continue.  

The rebelling angels were chained in a prison of their own.  I remember that in the New Testament, when Jesus was about to cast the demons out of the man, the bad angels begged for mercy by having them exiled into the pigs instead.  Evidently there is a worse place for them to be sent to than Earth as we know it.

When the ancient world became super evil, God destroyed it except for Noah's family.  He wouldn't let bad people completely destroy those who followed Him.

Sodom and Gomorrah were centers of evil.  God decided that the evil influence they had must be completely wiped out.  The verse is Jude 1:7 that says that they were struck by eternal fire.  The fire that came down destroyed them completely and most likely took a long time to burn out.  When the fire did burn out though, the land was inhabitable and to this day no life lives there (or at least that was the case 5 years ago.)

God will always be there for those who let Him.  He loves everyone, but can only do so much legally for those who do not accept Him or pray asking for His help.  Afterall, until He returns to claim Earth and Humanity, this world is the Devil's... given to the Devil by Adam and Eve.  So legally, because God is good and respects laws, He won't interfere more than can be justified here on Earth.  Such then is the power of prayer.  It allows God to act and to protect and to rescue.

2 Peter 2:3

"By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words;"

Okay, two thoughts really fast before I forget.

1. Lucifer coveted Jesus and led a rebellion in heaven.
2. People either covet power and use deceptive words to get it... or... people covet something and want it so bad that they listen to deceptive words to get what they want.

"By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgement as not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber."

We have been talking about prophets (or leaders) who don't speak the complete truth.  They add in stuff that are lies.  That lots of people follow them (knowing and unknowing).  The reason for this is because it is Jesus who is getting lied about (either directly or indirectly.)

Now this text explains that more by showing the motivation is wanting what you don't have or isn't yours.  That they have decided to do this a long time and actively reinforced that.  That though you might go give a homeless person a meal, they are continuing without rest causing more and more harm.  It never stops.  It never ends.

That is why we need to have as close and as strong a relationship with God as we can.  Because God does not rest nor does God slumber.  If we continually pray and talk to Him, giving Him person to intervene in our lives when we live on a world that belongs to the devil until Jesus returns for good, then He will watch out for us even while we sleep.  If we specifically pray for something, then He can specifically (and legally) do a lot.  Don't believe anything else.  God is more powerful than anything or anyone else.  If you ask Him to help, He can and He will.

2 Peter 2:2

"And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed."

Okay, so the NKJV isn't helping me understand this one very well.  So going to biblegateway.com to look for the expanded version.

The EXB says... *copies and pastes*

2 Many will follow their ·evil [depraved; debauched; licentious] ways and ·say evil things about [malign; slander] the way of truth.

Okay, so now we have this as well.  Let's talk about it.

Looking it over, there is one thing I want to say.  The part that confused me was the "because of whom" part.  Yet the Expanded Bible doesn't even touch it.  This bothers me and I am going to check some other versions to see if I can find one that does address that section.  If no other version does, then we will go with the Expanded Version.

Okay, the 21st Century King James kinda gave me that slight understanding that makes all things clear.  It apparently is talking about Jesus.  Now we can talk.

Context: In the previous verse, there was warning that people would try to lead others astray just like religious leaders had successfully and unsuccessfully done in the past.  They will bring into your religious beliefs ideas or concepts that are not true and are more harmful than not.  Particularly denying "the Lord who brought them."  So they don't have God's Spirit in them and have turned from Him.

Now there will be a lot of humans who follow those people.  Remember, those people might have once been God's workers or might not have been, but now they are definitely not God's.  They don't listen to Him.  The humans that follow them follow because the teachings given to them are untrue about Jesus.

That is a scary thought.  People follow leaders because the leaders misrepresent Jesus.  That is just scary.

So pray and be on your guard.  Work on learning more about Jesus and talking to Him about your life.  The stronger your relationship with Him, the less chance you have of being lied successfully to.

2 Peter 2:1

"But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who brought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction."

Context: Previous few sentences talked about how the scriptures that the Jews studied were written by men who were inspired by God through the Holy Spirit.

It appears that when the scriptures were written, there was also false prophets who led some of God's people astray.  That this happened then and will happen again.  Something that they do is deny our Lord.  I'm not sure in what way they do so, but it is something to keep an eye out for.

2 Peter 1:16-21

"For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'  And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

There is always that bit of doubt when you learn something new as to its origins and reliability.  You have to wonder is the source is worthwhile and accurate.  Who is the audience and what is the author trying to accomplish.  What is the bias for or against.  Being a history major and learning about research methods and how to use sources makes the process worse.

Yet there is something here that is important.  The people reading Peter's letter are told that he isn't telling them stuff he heard.  That he witnessed it.  There is nothing more powerful than a personal testimony.  Sure a historian won't take it by itself, but talking to someone personally about their experience is a good way to learn.  Peter's testimony is that Jesus existed, was awesome, was vouched for by God, and died only to rise again all for us as our Savior.

If personal testimony alone isn't enough, Jesus fulfilled every prophecy.  Not just a few, but all of them.  That the scripture was written by men's hand but under the influence of the Holy Spirit will have to be taken up on faith.

2 Peter 1:12-15

"For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.  Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.  Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease."

Peter wants to remind Christians everywhere that their spiritual walk with God and daily living is a continual learning process and we all have a long way to go.  However we are not to give up.  The reason he is so passionate right now with that sense of urgency is he knows he is going to die soon.  These are his last words that he can give.  So he will do everything he can with what time he has left.  He won't waste a single moment.

2 Peter 1:12

"For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth."

Context: Improving your life on the faith you have been given with the understanding of love of God because you chose to do God's will leading to Him taking over when you are not enough so that you can go to Heaven.

Peter is desperately trying to tell his readers something here.  He doesn't care how much you know about God or how solid a relationship you have with God.  He doesn't care if you grew up in the church or if everything is currently peachy in your spiritual life.  He doesn't care because it isn't where you are at that matters as much as to where you need to stay and how you must continue to grow.  The price is too high not to remind you and renew your relationship with God very often.

2 Peter 1:10,11

"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for it you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Context: In order to escape the bad stuff in this world from hurting our souls and to be able to spend eternity with God, God gave us faith.  We then spend our lives building on that with His help adding high standards, experiences and skills, self-control, not giving up, a deep respect for God, caring about others with a generous attitude, being patient, being kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not dishonoring others, not self-seeking, not easily angered, no records of wrongs against others, not delighting in evil, rejoicing in the truth, protecting, trustful, hopeful, and persevering.

Context: If you have all these things, you will succeed in life by following God's will.  Your life will be worth so much more and you will have brought people to know Jesus when all is said and done.  There will be no reason to have a mid life crisis or wish for death because you will know that you did something worthwhile.  You lived as God wants to the best that you could while on Earth and that He is proud of you.

Context: If you don't live as God knows is best, then you will be focused only on the here and now.  You will seek self-pleasure and worldly riches which won't last but leave you empty inside.  When Christians try to explain their way to you, you won't understand because that knowledge is lost to you.  You won't remember all that Jesus did to save you.

Conclusion: If you work hard to live as God wants and are sure of being on His side, then He will help you to not stumble.  If you need it of Him, He will always provide a path for you and make sure that you get to be with Him in Heaven.

2 Peter 1:9

"For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins."

Context:  In order to escape the bad stuff in this world from hurting our souls and to be able to spend eternity with God, God gave us faith.  We then spend our lives building on that with His help adding high standards, experiences and skills, self-control, not giving up, a deep respect for God, caring about others with a generous attitude, being patient, being kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not dishonoring others, not self-seeking, not easily angered, no records of wrongs against others, not delighting in evil, rejoicing in the truth, protecting, trustful, hopeful, and persevering.

If you don't live as God knows is best, then you will be focused only on the here and now.  You will seek self-pleasure and worldly riches which won't last but leave you empty inside.  When Christians try to explain their way to you, you won't understand because that knowledge is lost to you.  You won't remember all that Jesus did to save you.

2 Peter 1:8

"For is these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Context:  In order to escape the bad stuff in this world from hurting our souls and to be able to spend eternity with God, God gave us faith.  We then spend our lives building on that with His help adding high standards, experiences and skills, self-control, not giving up, a deep respect for God, caring about others with a generous attitude, being patient, being kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not dishonoring others, not self-seeking, not easily angered, no records of wrongs against others, not delighting in evil, rejoicing in the truth, protecting, trustful, hopeful, and persevering.

If you have all these things, you will succeed in life by following God's will.  Your life will be worth so much more and you will have brought people to know Jesus when all is said and done.  There will be no reason to have a mid life crisis or wish for death because you will know that you did something worthwhile.  You lived as God wants to the best that you could while on Earth and that He is proud of you.

2 Peter 1:5-7

"But for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love."

Context:  God has given us the ability to choose to be alive and to trust in Him.  He gave us faith so that we could escape the bad stuff that would destroy us within and instead enjoy living with Him in His divine nature.

So we have faith.  That is where it all starts.  From there we have to work hard.

We must then be virtuous, or have high standards.

With our faith and high standards, we can aim for more knowledge.  Gaining more information and skills through experiences and education so that we know the theoretical and practical side.

With our faith, high standards, and experiences, we must have self-control.  Not allowing yourself to indulge in something because we know in the end it is better for us isn't easy.  Put chocolate in front of a college female student and see how long it lasts.

With our faith, high standards, experiences and self-control, we must add perseverance.  Being steadfast in our lives for Christ despite the delays and difficulties we face the seem to delay the goals we were aiming for is important.

To our faith, high standards, experiences, self-control and not giving up we must add godliness.  Being godly means having piety which is having reverence which is a deep and solemn respect.  We must live with a deep respect for God.

To our faith, high standards, experiences, self-control, not giving up, and deep respect for God... we must add brotherly kindness.  Brotherly kindness is having very close feelings with someone and being generous.

To our faith, high standards, experiences, self-control, not giving up, deep respect for God, and caring about others with a generous attitude... we must add love.

Love.

It can be defined as an intense feeling of affection.

The Bible says love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, doesn't dishonor others, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil, rejoices in the truth, protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres because it never fails.  It is stronger than even faith, which grows like a mustard seed.

Conclusion:  In order to escape the bad stuff in this world from hurting our souls and to be able to spend eternity with God, God gave us faith.  We then spend our lives building on that with His help adding high standards, experiences and skills, self-control, not giving up, a deep respect for God, caring about others with a generous attitude, being patient, being kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not dishonoring others, not self-seeking, not easily angered, no records of wrongs against others, not delighting in evil, rejoicing in the truth, protecting, trustful, hopeful, and persevering.