Daily Walk Through the New Testament
February 26
Read 2 Peter 3:1-18

Many of those who read Peter’s letter in the first century were suffering fierce persecution. Some of them were in danger of being ostracized, imprisoned, or even put to death because of their faith. Living in a culture filled with such animosity toward Christianity understandably left some believers struggling with discouragement and disillusionment. Seeking to prevent any further uncertainty, Peter warned believers that “scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’” (2 Peter 3:3-4). Peter knew false teachers would try to persuade discouraged believers that they were sacrificing and enduring persecution for nothing — that the hope of their calling was really a sham.
So with this in mind, Peter sought to encourage those Christians be reminding them of God’s promise that Christ will one day return for His followers. Though there would be some who would dismiss this promise simply because of the apparent delay, Peter called for believers to stand strong in their faith concerning God’s promise. While our Father is not bound by an earthly timetable we understand, He will never go back on His promise to return, for “the Lord is not slack concerning His promise” (3:8-9)!
According to Peter, the reality of Christ’s future coming should motivate believers of all ages to live in a godly way and to have a joyful expectation for what is yet to come (3:14-15). So even though 2000 years have passed, modern believers are to live in faith of this same promise. This faith should be so strong that it actually affects how we behave. To say it another way, our complete trust in God’s promises for the future should result in present obedience. Do God’s promises motivate your present behavior?