RPG Adults
WILLINGLY IGNORANT
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
2 Peter 3:5-7
Psalm 73:1-17
“Let thy tender mercies
come unto me,
that I may live…”
WILLINGLY IGNORANT
In today’s text, the Apostle continued to discuss those who scoff at the truth of the Scripture especially in regard to the return of the Lord and the coming judgment. Their argument against the Lord’s return showed their ignorance of sacred history. Nothing ever changes, the scoffers claim. There are no supernatural acts, no judgments from God. Man simply continues on in his own way.
Mankind has constantly refused God’s revelation of Himself and His work. Instead, he has chosen to be spiritually ignorant (Rom 1:18- 20). Peter pointed out that this was also true of these scoffers. Their claim that nothing changes from its normal pattern is wrong. God has intervened in the affairs of man. First, He created all things by the power of His word (2 Pet 3:5; Gen 1:2-26). Then He brought judgment when men refused the message concerning righteousness and salvation. This is what happened during the days of Noah when God judged the earth with a flood (2 Pet 3:6).
The flood was not the final judgment. It was to serve as a warning to future generations that God punishes disobedience. God has continued to deal with sinful men, sending His prophets to preach the truth. His Word, with which the heavens and earth were once created, continues to maintain the creation until the day of final judgment.
As God’s people suffer and their message is rejected and ridiculed, there is the constant reminder that God will bring all to account. Those who bring tribulation and suffering on God’s church will pay the penalty of their unbelief. Men may scoff, but an eternal judgment is coming. The end result will be terrible. The unbelievers will be shut out forever from the presence of God (2 Pet 3:7; 2 Thess 1:6-9).
In light of this truth we, like Noah of old, must continue to share God’s message of salvation and righteousness with the lost.
THOUGHT: In what way was the flood to serve future generations?
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Father, that whatever happens “the foundation of God standeth sure” (2 Tim 2:19).