The Valley of the Shadow of Death Part 4 of 5
The Valley of the Shadow of Death Part 4 of 5
We finished yesterday saying that we can, like our Father, be concerned that as many as possible be saved. When people ask us the reason for the hope we have, we can tell them about the wonderful gift that Jesus has given them. (see 1 Peter 3:15) This does not consist of us berating people or pushing scripture down their throats. It simply consists of us doing what grace teaches us to do living upright and godly lives as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. (see Titus 2:11-12) People notice that and opportunities to simply share what Jesus has done for us present themselves. That is what Peter tells us next.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
After encouraging us to live godly lives, Peter reminds us of the reason we should bother. It is notable that he does not say that we should live uprightly so that we do not lose our salvation. Instead, he says this:
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
The patience of God means salvation for more people. In Romans 2:4 (KJV 1900) Paul talked about this idea. He wrote, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
Let me make a few comments about the mention of Paul and his letters. Peter talks about some of the things Paul wrote being difficult to understand. One need only read Paul’s epistles to know what Peter is talking about. Peter goes on to make a very important point here that I want to be sure we do not overlook. He says of these writings that “they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, (or twist) as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”
When the Gospel or the message of scripture is presented in a way that seems too complex to understand, it is time to reexamine what is being taught. When Philip presented the Gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch, the man was able to grasp the message immediately and asked to be baptized. Acts 8:35–37 (KJV 1900) records it, “35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
The Gospel is simple. There is simplicity in Jesus. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (KJV 1900) “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
This is the next thing Peter reminds us of.
