II Peter 3:1-18
3:1-2 Peter states his intent for writing these two epistles: to reiterate the principles of our faith and hopefully further solidify all that it is comprised of: our commitment to compassion, justice and truth. As we near the end of the New Testament, it is summarily important that we remember and retain all that has been taught to us through the words and experiences of the prophets and apostles within this text.
3:3-4 For our commitment to this faith and these truths will be tested... not necessarily by God but by our opposition, those who commit evil and unjust acts. Our faith will, even regularly, face nihilism. The belief that life is meaningless. And as faith and divine creation are physically intangible, we cannot over proof of our truths. Rather we must express them through our behavior, undeterred by doubters and sneering.
The faith we have in this philosophy and also the faith we have for ourselves only remains strong and healthy if we able to maintain it ourselves. We cannot be dependent on validation from others. Our faith must be impermeable to negative energy and opposition. We have the blessed opportunity to grow and develop our faith and our doing so is fundamental, instrumental to our purpose and potential.
3:5-6 Peter delves deeply into our history as souls. Although we may not realize or acknowledge the journey our souls and earth have taken, divine creation has been here, there all along wielding life. Forming and reforming the earth (we know a little bit of this because of humanities scientific studies of the earth and universe). This is a profoundly ancient world. God's presence here will not be new... no, life is quite familiar with His creative, curative and restorative hand.
3:7 Life as we know it and even life beyond this world is continuing in its finite journey. Our souls meet our maker (quite literally) and honestly, this should be perceived as a blessing. After a lifetime lived here, we should be happy with our personal contributions here: the friendships we cultivated, the opportunities for justice we created, accomplished and inspired. Always remember that fire burns off the fat, the unhealthiness and the weak (weak in compassion) but refines the strong and healthy. God's fire is a pleasant warmth to His compassionate children. God's fire eliminates (not eternally tortures) evil.
3:8 There are people who interpret this verse literally but the message is for us to understand that time is irrelevant, an obsolete concept with God.
3:9 God is everything He encourages us to be: vigilant and devoted. His intent for this stint of life on Earth is for humanity to develop their spiritual souls within a classroom of experience. Yet He keeps Himself abreast of the goings-on here, even though it requires much patience and endurance. It is not easy to let your children roam and make mistakes (hurting themselves and sometimes others)... but it necessary for their development.
3:10 Nobody knows the date of the culmination of life on Earth and that should never concern us so much that it takes away from our personal, spiritual responsibility while we are here. As has been done before, the earth will go through a progress of restoration. Yet at that time, so will we.
3:11-12 We should allow the constant change and fluctuation of life and earth inspire us. In understanding this life as a temporary classroom, we are able to understand how valuable this time and opportunity of experience and growth is.
3:13 Yet keeping in mind that the earth as we know it currently is temporary, we must also remember that new life is to be formed. Life comprised of and surrounded by righteousness.
3:14 Look forward to the future laid out before you, God has promised that it only gets ever-increasingly better from here. Be diligent and peaceful. Think, speak and behave with good intention always, rendering yourself innocent.
3:15 Recognize your life and all life on earth as a blessed and generous chance given by God. Imagine the patience and perseverance any entity would have to have to let humans reign freely (we're fallible, unreliable, unpredictable... we're brave, and kind and strong). We are a complex bundle of joys and contradictions but we are given to and loved for exactly who we are.
3:16 The apostles have devoted a lot of time to our well-being in order to strengthen us against manifested forms of destruction (opposition, doubt, wavering). They have encouraged us to be strong, observant, brave, and firmly entrenched in the power and comfort of faith.
The words in this text are often manipulated, twisted to corroborate corrupt motives. That is why it is important for even a non-believer to be familiar with the words in this book. There are several major religions in the world which influence and impact humanity in monumental ways. Knowing what these texts actually say can only benefit an individual. Knowledge is our best armor and defense. Never let anyone manipulate you; shed all weakness that is ignorance.
An except from Born Under a Million Shadows, Andrea Busfield
“Education is the key to [a] successful future... because it fights ignorance and intolerance and brings the blessing of opportunity. When a man has knowledge he has power- the power to make informed decisions; the power to distinguish truth from lies; and the power to shape his own destiny in accordance with God's wills. He is stronger than the ignorant man, who can do nothing but blindly accept the supposed learning of another.”
3:17 As an informed soul, devote yourself without wavering to your personal truths and faith. In life, your faith will be tested and tempted to sway, it is imperative in those moments to realize and disallow it from happening.
3:18 From Peter's own words: Grow in grace and knowledge.
