Roland T. Dell: Commentary on 2 Peter 3; 9-18
Being raised Reformed in my Doctrines; (Once Saved always Saved) – I would have missed over half of the depths in this passage… As it would have been quite easy for me, not to pay attention to my spiritual walk; but for the Lord’s grace to me – after surviving my near death; he has allowed an even further sanctification, of my understanding… Welcome to my commentary on 2 Peter 3: 9-18…
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Slackness is as overlooking or pardoning our transgressions. Long suffering “towards us” is speaking about the saved, in being “made transformed into Christ’s image… Not the world!
10 But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Carnal or worldly works will be burnt
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy manner of living and godliness,
Is your heart right towards God now..?
12 looking for and hastening unto the coming of the Day of God, wherein the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Dooms Day Judgment – looking to the future, rather than now…
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
As we walk in righteousness, not of the flesh.
14 Therefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
Be diligent (speaking to the saved) that you may be found “in Him” without sin (or walking in carnality).
15 And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation, even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you,
Our being found “in Christ” long-suffering(s) by faith, is our salvation.
16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things. Therein are some things hard to understand, which those who are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Not being “spiritually diligent”, (not natural brained) so that they might understand salvation!
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing that ye know these things beforehand, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
Endeavor to push into the kingdom of God “who” is within you – at a very personal level; not corporately or communally, “like a herd of goats”.
18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
But grow by grace and wisdom, into sanctification of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: it is HIS work alone, (salvation) not ours.
Happy Passover 2015.
Bro. Roland
Lightship Ministries 