2 Peter Chapter 3 Pt. 1 Pure Minds Are Needed To Fend Off Scoffers

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An index for all lessons posted from 2019 through 2021, was published on September 7, 2022.

An index for all lessons posted in 2022, was published January 24, 2023.

An index for all of 2023 was posted on January 16. 2024.

Each index lists lesson titles and the dates each one was posted, so that you can study subjects that we have written about.

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The apostle Peter now turns to some more encouragements and warnings regarding the end times.

Pure minds, stirred up by thinking about apostolic truth. 

2 Peter 3:1  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 

The third chapter begins with an exhortation for us to remember the apostolic truth taught by Peter. 

In order to guard against the seduction of false teachers, Peter calls for us to recall the truths from both the Old and New Testament.

A pure mind is first, and when our thinking has been renewed by taking in God's Word, he wants to stir up our pure mind (See Romans 12:1-2). 

What is meant by a "pure mind?" It is the idea that if our thoughts were exposed in the brilliant, pure sunlight of summer, they would appear clean, spotless, and unsullied by anything. 

Matthew 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 

Jesus teaches us that when our heart is pure, we shall see God. This is a wonderful promise to us from Christ.

The apostle wants to "stir up" our "pure minds", and the action of stirring up, is like the sea becoming noticeably agitated by strong winds.

An example is found in Mark 4:36-41, where the sea was raging due to strong winds, and imperiling all who were in the boat with Jesus. Jesus instantly calmed the stormy waves. 

Peter does not want us to be fueled by agitation or distractions, but rather, to have our minds fully engaged with the scriptures. 

This means believers must seek to be fully alert, ready to hear from God, ready to live by what He says to us. 

Thus, Peter has certain truths that he wants to bring back into our minds, that we might remain pure in our faith, and actively serving our God.

Renewing our minds with truth from the Old and New Testaments. 

2 Peter 3:2  That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Now, the Spirit of God brings out Peter's true mission. It is that all believers in Christ, should keep the Old Testament scriptures connected with the New Testament scriptures. 

Our pure minds must be stirred up with God's eternal truth, so that all scripture from the Old and New Testament, are retained in our thinking at all times.

We cannot understand the words, works and Person of Jesus Christ, if we do not know where the Old Testament writers spoke of Him. 

We cannot grasp all that God the Father did to save us from our sins, and to grant us eternal life in heaven with Him, if we do not have a good foundation of Old and New Testament truth in our minds. 

Paul tells us that our faith is securely and eternally resting upon the foundation of Old and New Testament truth, with Jesus Christ being the cornerstone (See Ephesians 2:18-21).

Now, Peter will tell us why he is exhorting us to be well acquainted with the Old and New Testament truths.

2 Peter 3:3-4  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4)  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 

Here is the reason why each Christian must know his or her Bible very well. In the last days, there will be many scoffers. 

Considering that Old Testament prophets predicted the coming of false teachers, and how their presence in the Church, substantiates the truths they prophesied of.

Here are some shocking statistics to consider. Only 30% of American Christians will ever read through the whole Bible. 

This statistic means that the vast majority of professing Christians do not have a solid foundation of Old Testament truth in their minds. 

Therefore, they cannot see the glory of what God has done through the sacrifice of His Son. 

You may wonder if this state of being has any impact upon Christian living, and the answer is a resounding "Yes!"

Here is the true source of unbelief. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is pure and holy, and requires us to maintain a holy heart and holy life. 

Scoffers follow their own fleshly lusts, and cannot tolerate the restraints of the Gospel. This is why they labor to prove that it is not true, so that they can disregard its holy imperatives. 

Thus, their opposition to revealed truth begins and ends in their own lusts. 

All Old and New Testament scripture is inspired, preserved truth from God. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17)  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 

Only 22% of professing Christians in America believe that the Bible is fully inspired and divinely preserved by God.

The Bible teaches us that all scripture, both the Old and New Testament, are given to us from God, who inspired its complete text. 

The scriptures are given to provide a sound, doctrinal foundation for what we believe. 

God's inspired and preserved truth points out sin when we fail God. It gives us correctives, so that we can be restored to God and instructs us how to avoid sinning again.  

The purpose for learning the Word of God is so that each Christian has a strong, complete faith in Jesus Christ, and has all the spiritual resources necessary to live for the glory of God.

Yes, the Bible teaches us that "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (See Romans 10:17). 

There is only one way of salvation: repentant faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who redeemed all who believe from under the curse of sin. 

God's Word teaches us that we must keep the sabbath day principles.

Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25)  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

Therefore, only 25% of Americans attend church, down from 47% several years ago. Yet, God's Word commands Christians to gather and worship on Sundays (Hebrews 10:19-25).

Many professing Christians use the Lord's Day as a personal day to do whatever they want to do, rather than choosing to honor God during that day. 

The culture has not secularized Sunday. Christians have done this by becoming secular in their thinking, rather than following clear instruction from God. 

Exodus 20:8-11  Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9)  Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10)  But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11)  For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 

Here is the actual instruction from Jehovah regarding the sabbath day. All normal work activities were to cease on the Lord's Day. 

He gave us one day in seven to rest, refresh our souls by worshiping Him, hearing from His Word, and fellowshipping with other Christians. 

Remember, that the church began meeting on Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection.

Many texts show that the early Christians observed the principles of keeping the sabbath as a holy day. 

The first day of the week was set aside and dedicated to worshiping God and focusing upon His Word (See Acts 2:42-47; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2, for examples). 

There is only one way to heaven: repentant faith in Jesus Christ. 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Even worse, 57% of American Christians believe that other religions can also lead to eternal life. 

God's inspired Word is very explicit. All who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved. All who refuse to believe on Jesus Christ, are already condemned (See John 3:16-21).

Jesus said that salvation is exclusively through repentant faith in Christ alone (John 14:6). 

There is no other name given under heaven among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:32). 

Paul teaches us that Jesus Christ shall return in flaming fire to take vengeance on all who reject the gospel and refuse to bow the knee to Him (See 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

Every tongue will confess and every knee will bow to Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:9-11  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

When Jesus returns to this world for judgment, every  knee is going to bow and every tongue is going to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, to the glory of the Father in heaven.

Yes, all who have hardened hearts and live in rebellion against God, will bow and confess. Yes, every sinner, every blasphemer, every reprobate, will bow and confess, before Jesus sends them to eternal condemnation. 

Scoffers deride the Christian's faith and dismiss God's promises. 

2 Peter 3:3-4  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4)  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 

Scoffers are those who cast doubt upon the scriptures, who mock or ridicule the Bible, and who frequently blaspheme God in heaven by their words and actions. 

Scoffers try to shake the faith of each Christian, by claiming that all things continue in the world as they have since God created everything. 

Their conclusion is that God will not make good on His promises. They think that God has reneged on His Word. They are utter fools for thinking such vile things about God.

Scoffers are ignorant of God's past judgments for mankind's sins. 

2 Peter 3:5-7  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6)  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7)  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 

Scoffers mock the truth of the Genesis flood. They choose to ignore the vast amount of evidence which clearly supports the flood. 

We cannot even begin to look into all of that evidence here, but I will suggest a few resources for you to read or visit. 

There are very good videos, and well written, scientifically grounded books and teaching materials available. 

"The Flood: In the light of the Bible, Geology and Archaeology" by Alfred Rehwinkel. 

"The Genesis Flood" by Dr. Henry Morris.

The Institute For Creation Research website.

Answers in Genesis website, by Dr. Ken Hamm. He also has the Creation Museum near Cincinnati, Ohio, with a full sized replica of Noah's ark.

Scoffers ignore the Genesis flood where God wiped the slate clean and started over with Noah and his family. 

They ignore the reason for the flood, which was mankind's total depravity and entrenched rebellion against God. 

The time of Noah was so vile, that even after Noah preached about judgment and the only way of salvation, no one heard and heeded his warnings. 

In like manner, scoffers ignore the warning about future judgment by fire, that is prophesied in both the Old and New Testaments. 

Yet, God's promises are sure, His Word is the perfect, reliable guide for each of our lives. 

We must seek to live for God's glory and be His faithful witnesses to a lost and dying world.

Bob