All The Difference

Peter looks ahead, seeing through the prophets and the gospels the great change that is to come. In light of that prophetic truth, he lays out a powerful series of commands that answer the question he had himself asked of Jesus: "How should we then live?"

Peter looks ahead, seeing through the prophets and the gospels the great change that is to come. In light of that prophetic truth, he lays out a powerful series of commands that answer the question he had himself asked of Jesus: "How should we then live?"

Peter prepares us for the inevitable spiritual battles that come at us in this life. Stepping beyond our limits of space-time, Peter shows us depth of theology that changes perspectives. Further, he prepares us for these thought battles in a manner similar to what I employed in preparing our quarterback when I was a coach. He mentions truths to remember, attacks to watch out for, and issues that cannot be (but often are) missed.

Peter prepares us for the inevitable spiritual battles that come at us in this life. Stepping beyond our limits of space-time, Peter shows us depth of theology that changes perspectives. Further, he prepares us for these thought battles in a manner similar to what I employed in preparing our quarterback when I was a coach. He mentions truths to remember, attacks to watch out for, and issues that cannot be (but often are) missed.

Peter blasts the false teachers who provide fake freedom as a cloak for prideful sin. He then describes the nasty temporal situation for Christians who fall for that crap.

Peter blasts the false teachers who provide fake freedom as a cloak for prideful sin. He then describes the nasty temporal situation for Christians who fall for that crap.

Peter points out the sad reality that false teachers will come. Rather than getting God's people stirred up, these heretics make everything messed up.

Peter points out the sad reality that false teachers will come. Rather than getting God's people stirred up, these heretics make everything messed up.

Peter describes the great epistemological foundation of Christianity.

Peter describes the great epistemological foundation of Christianity.

Peter shows us the way to flesh out life according to Jesus' truth that with much blessing comes much responsibility.

Peter shows us the way to flesh out life according to Jesus' truth that with much blessing comes much responsibility.

Peter lays out his plan to stir up the churches of Jesus. He does so in a rather OT prophet manner, showing both the wretchedness of the world and the contrasting richness of God's provision.

Peter lays out his plan to stir up the churches of Jesus. He does so in a rather OT prophet manner, showing both the wretchedness of the world and the contrasting richness of God's provision.

Ungodliness is not limited to wretched pagans devoted to sin. Ungodliness is true of many (most) Christians who live the bulk of our time with no thought of the Triune God, His majesty, His will, or our need to continually depend on Him. Unthankfulness is the insensate chariness of spoiled brats who forget that every breath is a gift from God. After mortifying ourselves to these sins, we can vivify training ourselves for godliness (1 Tim 4:7) and thankfulness (1 Thess 5:18 ). We do so by glorifying God in our hearts.

Ungodliness is not limited to wretched pagans devoted to sin. Ungodliness is true of many (most) Christians who live the bulk of our time with no thought of the Triune God, His majesty, His will, or our need to continually depend on Him. Unthankfulness is the insensate chariness of spoiled brats who forget that every breath is a gift from God. After mortifying ourselves to these sins, we can vivify training ourselves for godliness (1 Tim 4:7) and thankfulness (1 Thess 5:18 ). We do so by glorifying God in our hearts.

Despite the greatness of our God, His closeness in the Spirit, and the promises of Christ, Christians are regularly beset with faithlessness. At least I am; and my faithlessness exhibits itself in worry and in the prideful sins of impatience and irritability. The saddest part is that these three sins are poorly appraised by our churches and culture. Worry is seen as a sign of caring, while impatience and irritability are applauded as indicators of zeal for getting good things done. We must take these thoughts captive and follow our righteous plan of calling sin what it is and raising the bar of behavior. Then we can rest in the Lord. Specifically, we can cry for help in our unbelief and remind ourselves and each other that Christ's peace guards our hearts & minds.

Despite the greatness of our God, His closeness in the Spirit, and the promises of Christ, Christians are regularly beset with faithlessness. At least I am; and my faithlessness exhibits itself in worry and in the prideful sins of impatience and irritability. The saddest part is that these three sins are poorly appraised by our churches and culture. Worry is seen as a sign of caring, while impatience and irritability are applauded as indicators of zeal for getting good things done. We must take these thoughts captive and follow our righteous plan of calling sin what it is and raising the bar of behavior. Then we can rest in the Lord. Specifically, we can cry for help in our unbelief and remind ourselves and each other that Christ's peace guards our hearts & minds.

There are three basic types of discontentment: the positive trait of "pressing on" in growth, fighting complacent inertia; the often positive discontent over injustice exemplified by Israel's prophets; and the negative discontent Christians show over long-standing circumstances. This latter is the point of our study, and it is rendered most difficult by a culture that highlights victimization. We must call the "empowering" of victimization the sin that it is and then accept the higher calling of God's sovereign plan. Then, daily, we must hold each other accountable for our whining.

There are three basic types of discontentment: the positive trait of "pressing on" in growth, fighting complacent inertia; the often positive discontent over injustice exemplified by Israel's prophets; and the negative discontent Christians show over long-standing circumstances. This latter is the point of our study, and it is rendered most difficult by a culture that highlights victimization. We must call the "empowering" of victimization the sin that it is and then accept the higher calling of God's sovereign plan. Then, daily, we must hold each other accountable for our whining.