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Oilfield Workers Sharing Christ Around the World

THE LAST WORD – 2 PETER

By Mike Chaffin

17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18

          The last word here is knowledge.  Peter spends most of this letter telling its readers to grow in knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching of the Apostles. 

          Peter warns us that if we don’t have the knowledge of sound doctrine and good teaching, we won’t be able to tell the difference when we hear bad teaching and wrong doctrine.  If we don’t study the Word of God, we can be lead away with the error of the wicked.  I believe this is why Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:15-16,

          15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

          Then he follows this up with another warning in Matthew 7:21-23,

          21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

          Peter doesn’t want any of his readers to fear the warning Jesus gives.  With knowledge of the gospel, we can be sure of our salvation. 

          First, Jesus is the only way to heaven.  We must recognize we are a sinner.  Nothing we can ever do will earn us a place in heaven.  He paid the price with his life on calvary and on the third day rose from the dead, defeating death and the grave.  One must confess their sins, accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, turn from those sins, and seek to walk with Jesus daily.  We must believe Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We must accept it into our hearts with all our being, all our intellect and our emotions, and then seek knowledge of Him through daily prayer and Bible study. 

          Jesus said to ask and you shall receive. Ask him what you are to do and what His will is for your life. When you do good works, do it in His will, not for personal glory.

          Until Jesus takes us home, grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and do His will.  Great last words from Peter. 

          Prayer:  Lord thank you for Peter’s warning to us all to be doers of the Word and not hearers only.  To do your will and to grow in knowledge of the love and direction you have for our lives.  Help me this day to do your will, to broaden your kingdom, and to grow in knowledge.  In Jesus’s name, Amen.

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