Highlight:

1 John 1:5–7 (NLT) 

⁵ This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. ⁶ So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. ⁷ But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 

Explain:

John proclaims Christ: The one the disciples heard, saw and touched. Christ, the one Who was with the Father, was revealed to them so He is the one John has fellowship with and is proclaiming so that his readers may share the joy of knowing Him too. Jesus declared that God is pure light without any darkness, so if we live in darkness we lie if we say we know Him, but if we live in the light, He fellowships with us and cleanses us by His blood. If we claim that we are without sin, we’re just kidding ourselves, but if we confess that sin, He will faithfully forgive us. If we claim we have not sinned, we’re calling God a liar and His word is not in our hearts.

In the highlighted passage, John basically says it is direction, not perfection. God is light and truth. If we are pursuing a lifestyle that lines up with truth, we have fellowship with each other and with God. The blood of Jesus has cleansed and is cleansing us from all sin. If we, on the other hand, pursue a lifestyle of attitudes that excuse sin and lie to others and ourselves about it, we are walking in darkness, and that is a very dangerous place for a believer to be. Instead, as v9 says, we should be confessing and dealing with our sin.

Apply:

Since God is light and truth, I must pursue light and truth if I want to pursue God. This means that I will

• Refuse to fight against the conviction of the Holy Spirit over my sin.
• Deal with sin as it arises, not denying it.
• Pursue truth always.

Respond:

I will do the three things I listed above today.

Highlight:

2 Peter 3:11–12a; 14-15a (ESV) 

¹¹ Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, ¹² waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God. . .¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. ¹⁵ And count the patience of our Lord as salvation . . . 

Explain:

2 Peter 3:1-10: Peter tells them that this is the second letter he has written to remind them of what the prophets foretold about Christ and what the Apostles commanded. He reminds them further that doubters will come taunting them by asking why Jesus has not yet returned. These skeptics deliberately forget that the same God who created the world and destroyed it with a flood will one day destroy this wicked world and all the wicked living in it with fire. God is not slow about keeping His promise of judgment; His clock is just different. With Him, a thousand years is like a day and a day like a thousand years. He wants people to have plenty of time to repent, but that day of judgment will come and everything will disappear in fire. 11-16: Since judgment is coming and we have the promise of a new heaven and earth, we should live holy and godly lives. While we are waiting, let us live peaceful, pure, and blameless lives. Remember that God’s patience is offering more time for people to be saved. The Apostle Paul writes of these things—sometimes in ways difficult to understand. People sometimes take his writing to mean something he never intended. This perversion will result in their destruction. 17-18: You know all this already, so just be on your guard so that false teachers do not deceive you and cause you to lose your security in Christ. Rather, grow in grace and constantly get to know Jesus better. All glory to Him forever!

Apply:

In the highlighted verses, Peter details our response to the truth of Christ’s return. We are to live lives of 

Holiness: That is completely committed to and at the disposal of God.

Godliness: That is imitating the portrait of God painted for us in Scripture

Patience: That is being willing to wait for the coming of Christ.

Anticipation: We are to “hasten” the coming. I can think of two things here. One is a heart-felt desire for Christ to come back; the other is being willing to share the gospel in order to hasten Christ’s return.

Peace: The idea is that we are to be at peace with others as much as is possible for us.

Decisive Perspective: We make the conscious decision to see the waiting as an opportunity for witness. We count the “patience” of our Lord as (an opportunity for) salvation.

Respond:

I will seek to remember these values throughout my day today.

Highlight:

2 Peter 2:4–10 (ESV) 

⁴ For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; ⁵ if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; ⁶ if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; ⁷ and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked ⁸ (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); ⁹ then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, ¹⁰ and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority . . . 

Explain:

Peter takes on false teachers who seem to have arisen within the church. From my very cursory reading, it seems that these false teachers were influenced by Epicurean philosophy (Let’s eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die). Evidently, they were using some of Paul’s teachings on grace to justify their indulgence of their biblically forbidden pleasures. Although this is a sobering chapter because of all the warnings and pronouncements of judgment given, I am encouraged by v9: The Lord knows how to deliver the godly from temptations and keep the wicked under punishment . . . Those who truly belong to Christ—the godly—can be delivered from temptation; The Lord knows how to do that. If we will turn to Him, He will deliver us.

Apply:

Since the Lord punishes those who are wicked, I must live a holy life, showing myself to truly belong to Him.

Since the Lord knows how to deliver me, I must turn to Him for help and my way of escape.

Since the Lord cares enough about me to deliver me, I will rest in His love for me.

Respond:

Highlight:

2 Peter 1:16–21 (NLT) 

¹⁶ For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes ¹⁷ when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” ¹⁸ We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. ¹⁹ Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. ²⁰Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, ²¹ or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. 

Explain:

Peter is about to be martyred for the faith and he knows it. He writes this book to encourage the believers to stand firm and to grow in their faith. In this way, he says, they will confirm that they are really elect of God. As a ground for their faith, he reminds them that the things they were told about Jesus were not “made up, clever stories.” He actually saw the glory of God physically present in Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration and he heard God’s voice say, “This is my dearly loved Son . . .” He says that it is because of seeing this glory that he has even more confidence in what the prophets said about Jesus. Till Christ returns, he urges them to put confidence in what the prophets said about Jesus because those prophets wrote truth through the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Apply:

Several applications come from these verses:

Because Christ was really the Son of God:

1. I have some great and precious promises (1:4).
2. I must be diligent to live out my calling (1:10).
3. I have some great evidence of His identity through the prophets and Apostles. (1:16-21)

Respond:

I will live out my faith today.

Highlight:

1 Peter 5:1–4 (ESV) 

¹ So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: ² shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³ not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 

Explain:

1 Peter 5: 1-6 Citing his own experience with Christ as an example, Peter speaks to the elders in the churches urging them to care for the people entrusted to them willingly and with integrity. He promises them that God will reward them with glory and honor. He then urges the younger to submit in humility to the elders and then instructs all of them to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, submitting to Him. He promises that God will lift them up in due time. Finally, he tells them to put all of their care on God because He cares for them. 8-11: Peter tells them the ultimate source of their persecution: It is Satan who prowls around looking for someone to destroy. They are to stand firm through faith, remembering that their brothers and sisters are going through the same trial. God has called them to share in the glory of Christ. After they have suffered a little, they will be restored, strengthened, supported, and placed on a firm foundation. All praise belongs to God forever! 12-14: Peter gives final greetings from the church in Babylon, Silas and Mark and tells them that he has written this letter to reassure them: The suffering they are enduring is part of God’s grace being shown to them.

Apply:

In v2-3, we have the attitudes behind a shepherd’s service: They are:

Willingness, not compulsion: A pastor must be willing to be a pastor, not compelled. While there are many difficult aspects to ministry, being a pastor should not be done because you feel like you have to. You must WANT to. Question: Do I serve because I want to?

Integrity, not manipulation: The contrast is between seeking financial gain and eagerness. The point of the contrast is that, when a person is seeking to use the office to gain selfishly, he will do it one way; when a person is seeking the office for God’s glory, he will do it another. An elder must have integrity in their service, that is, they must do it for the Lord. Do I minister as a job or as a calling? Do I seek what I can get out of the ministry, or how I can bring God glory?

Example, not privilege: A pastor is not to order people around, asking them to do things he will not do. Instead, he is to go ahead of them, setting the example. Do I go first? Do I do the things I ask others to do.

Respond:

I will answer the questions above for myself.

Highlight:

1 Pe 4:7-11

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. ⁸ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.^[1]

^[1] The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 1 Pe 4:7–11

Explain:

1 Peter 4: 1-6 We should have the attitude Christ had about suffering, for, when we have that, we will be finished with sin. Our desires will have changed from wanting to chase what godless people do (immorality, wild parties, etc.) to wanting to do the will of God. This change will surprise our old friends and they may talk bad about us, but we must remember that God will be their judge one day. That was the motivation for preaching the gospel to the spiritually dead (like us): It was in hope that, though we are destined to die physically, we might live forever with God in spirit. 7-11: Jesus is coming soon, so be disciplined and intense in your prayers. Continue to love each other deeply and tangibly by being willing to cheerfully open your home to those who need a meal or lodging. Since God has given a rich variety of spiritual gifts, use them appropriately and with all the strength He supplies so that God may be glorified. All power and glory are His forever. 12-19: Don’t be surprised by fiery trials, be glad: These sufferings make you partners with Christ. The payoff is coming when His glory is revealed to the world. Suffering for the name of Christ is a blessing. Don’t suffer for doing wrong but count it a privilege to suffer for Jesus. If we are so judged and we suffer, belonging to God, imagine the fate of those who are disobedient! If the righteous are suffering, what will happen to the sinner? If you are going through suffering, trust the Lord through it. He created you and he will not let you down.

Apply:

Christ’s second coming should have several impacts on us:

1. It should make us prayer warriors. We should be “serious” and “watchful” in prayer. Serious means self-controlled and unresponsive to sinful impulses. Watchful means sober; not controlled by evil passions.
2. It should give us consistent and careful love. That’s what fervent means: consistent, careful. The payoff of this kind of love will prevent sin.
3. It should make us cheerfully hospitable. “Hospitable” means to treat guests or strangers with cordiality and generosity. We are not to resent this and grumble about it.
4. It should make us willing servant/stewards. God’s grace has given you a gift to use, so you are to use it generously because that is what it means to be a good steward.
5. It should make us dependent on God for power. V11 talks about speaking “as the oracles” of God. An “oracle” in the ancient world was almost a channeling of God through the person speaking. V11 also talks about ministering “with the ability God supplies.” In other words, in my speaking and working, I am to be consciously dependent on God’s power.
6. It should clarify our ultimate purpose in all of this: God’s glory and dominion.

Respond:

I will consider what Christ’s return should mean for this day.

Highlight:1 Peter 3:8–9 (NKJV) 

⁸ Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; ⁹ not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 

Explain:

Peter tells the scattered believers how to have real growth and health in their relationships:

Things to seek:

Think alike: That seems almost foolish to our individualistic society, but I think that this simply means to think alike because our thinking is governed by God’s truth—His Word.

Feel deeply for one another: The next three words: having compassion, love as brothers, be tenderhearted. All give somewhat nuanced definition to the same idea: We are to be deeply engaged with one another at a heart level.

Humble minded: The idea is that we think about others before we think about ourselves and prefer them ahead of ourselves.

Seek to bless others: 

Things to avoid:

Retaliation of any kind: When hurt in any way, refuse to retaliate

The motivation for living like this is no less than our calling. It flows out of our calling to be Christ’s disciple. Along with that calling comes a promise: We will inherit a blessing because (as seen in vv 10-12) The Lord favors those who live like this.

Apply:

If I want to have good relationships that grow in intimacy, I can:

Think biblically, engage with others emotionally, prefer them above myself, refuse to retaliate and seek in every way to bless them. I cannot do this in my own strength. I can only do it through the power of the Spirit and the anticipation I have of enjoying Gods favor.

Respond:

I will seek this in my relationships today!

Highlight: 

1 Peter 2:15-16 – “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”

Explain: 

Peter is explaining the new life of the believer and how they are called to live.  He talks about the persecution that comes to those who are followers of Christ, and the adversaries that we will encounter.  He says that God’s will is for them to do good which would put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.  He then tells them to live as free, and not to use their freedom as a way to cover-up evil.  They should use their freedom to faithfully serve God.

Apply: 

There are times when I will receive negative comments from people, but if I am truly doing good to others, their negative words carry no weight.  My aim in life should be to use my freedom in Christ for His glory.  My flesh causes me to want to use my freedom to sin, but God is calling me out to so much more than that.  God has set me free from sin, so I must not make myself a slave to sin again.  My freedom is fully experienced through living in submission to Him.

Respond:

Lord, give me the wisdom to run from sin and run to You.

Highlight:

1 Peter 1:2 (NLT) 

² God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. 

Explain:

Peter is writing to the believers scattered by persecution. He tells them that God foreknew them and chose them long ago. His Spirit has made them holy through the cleansing of Christ’s blood.

Because of the resurrection of Christ and the mercy of God, we live in great expectation of the grand inheritance Jesus promised us. Because we trust Him, God will protect us until we receive final salvation on the last day.

That should make us joyful even though, for the time being, we endure trials. Those trials just show us that our faith is real. It’s like fire purifying gold. These trials will bring us praise and glory when Jesus returns. You love this Jesus who is saving you and you are so blessed to know Him and to live now. Prophets before longed to be where you are. They wondered how His coming would take place but were told that the message was not for them but for you. These things are so wonderful even angels are not allowed to look into them.

So, don’t whine, prepare for the battle and control yourself. Trust in the One guaranteeing this wonderful future. Be obedient. Don’t live to satisfy your desires but be holy because holy is what Jesus is. 

Remember that God doesn’t play favorites; He will reward you for what you do or don’t do. His Son’s blood is too precious for you to receive it’s benefits without living out your testimony. God chose His only Son to ransom the world and is revealing Him in our lifetimes so take this great blessing seriously.

Through Christ, you have obeyed the truth and been born again not to live in the old way, but in the new. All of this comes out of the Scriptures which speak of Jesus’s sacrifice. The Scriptures abide forever, and it is the Scriptures that speak of Christ and it is the Scriptures that were preached to you.

Apply:

Because God chose me, I am confident that I will persevere.

Because God chose me, I am confident that the Spirit has already made me clean.

Because God chose me, I do not have to save myself, but I can rely on the Spirit to make me holy.

Because God chose me, I will respond to His direction with obedience.

Respond:

Help me to listen to You today, O Lord, even when your leading contradicts my plans.

Highlight: James 5:7-12

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. 

Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! 

For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. 

But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned. 

Explain:

James is writing to the people undergoing persecution and is telling them that, in the middle of suffering, they must learn to wait patiently just like a farmer waits for rain so that they can have a good crop. In the middle of that wait and persecution, it might be easy to turn on one another and grumble and find fault with each other. We should not do that because we know that such a practice will bring judgment. We should remember the prophets, etc., who suffered and remained strong. Finally, we should not take oaths because we do not have to; we should live such a way that our word is believed.

Apply:

I can see several guidelines to follow as I wait for Christ to return:

1. Take courage. He will return soon.
2. Don’t complain. This shows a lack of faith and love if your complaining is about someone else.
3. Live with integrity. You should have so much integrity that your word is believed without an oath.

Respond:

I will remember today that Jesus is returning soon!

I will also stop myself when I start to grumble.