Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear special people.

My composition from 4 years ago strikes us as being as appropriate and relevant today as it was then—maybe more so. How can anyone dogmatically conclude that things are just going to carry on as they always have? I have a strong sense as I talk to people across the spectrum of society that there is a growing strong sense with many (maybe most) that things are building up with gathered momentum toward a big climax. Could this be evidence of some kind of subliminal spiritual influence?

Lots on the list for today. But first is a walk/jog with Becki…and crazy Dandy who doesn’t know where any balls are…but will carry on insisting that we know. I get tired of arguing with him. If I had time, I might pursue an ad I found of Craigslist—100 used tennis balls for $20. Maybe I could deduct the cost from Dandy’s allowance.

Oops! Here comes Becki to begin the walk. Bye.

Love, Dad/Ray.

You sure don’t have to look far in our world environment to find and identify a lot of unwholesome thinking. Peter is inspired here to give us a kind of RECIPE FOR WHOLESOME THINKING. It all flows out of the supposition that wholesome thinking will produce wholesome living—while unwholesome thinking will produce unwholesome living. What an idea!

A central theme on which Peter bases these ideas is that we are all heading toward not only the terminus of our physical lives, but the very terminus of time. It really is reasonable to expect some kind of conclusion since everything we know in the dimension of time has a beginning and an end.

In anticipation and preparation for that great conclusion of all things (and beginning of new things), Peter instructs us to…

1. Anticipate conflict from unwholesome thinkers (vv.3-7). “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”


2. Understand that time is no big deal with the Eternal God (vv. 8-9). “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”


3. Anticipate final judgment and destruction (v. 10). “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”


4. Pursue an attitude and lifestyle that make peace with the Eternal God (vv. 11-14). “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”


5. Be on your guard against decadence by continually growing (vv. 17-18). “Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”