Knowing This Beforehand

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Knowing This Beforehand

Knowing things beforehand makes us more comfortable,  confident,  and knowledgeable  in making good decisions.     Not knowing what we’re getting into  makes us tense,  fearful,  and even sometimes suspicious,  leading to poor decisions.     To get better organized,  many people use daily planners,  so their day will be more productive.     We just like knowing things beforehand.

The apostle Peter wanted his fellow Christians  to know a number of things beforehand.     They were things he had learned from Jesus,  and so,  knew they would be true.     2 Peter was written for the purpose  of preparing Christians  for our days ahead,  so that we can be more comfortable,  confident and knowledgeable  as Judgment Day draws nearer.     Peter told about false preachers,  worldly people mocking Christians,  the misperceptions  of the world,  how Judgment Day will surprise everyone,  and how everything will be destroyed  with intense heat.

Then Peter ends his letter  by saying  in 2 Peter 3:17-18,

You therefore,  beloved,  knowing this beforehand,  be on your guard  lest, being carried away  by the error  of unprincipled men,  you fall from your own steadfastness,  but grow  in the grace and knowledge  of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.     To Him be the glory,  both now and  to the day of eternity.     Amen.

Peter gave a number of hints  about the end days,  and then warns us  to be on our “guard”.     When the world mocks our faith,  belligerently promotes false religions  and philosophies,  and proudly insists  on its many theories,  Christians can get  “carried away  by the error  of unprincipled men.”     The manner  in which they push their worldly ideas  as truth  can cause some Christians  to start doubting God’s proven word.

Just because  in the end days  there will be a plethora of false religions,  teachings,  and philosophies,  Christians need a good education straight  from the word of God.     We need to be  “steadfast”  in the truth,  but how can we,  if we don’t know anything  about the truth?     We need  to take Peter’s advice  to “grow in the grace and knowledge  of our Lord and Savior  Jesus Christ.”

The only way anyone can  “grow in the grace and knowledge”  of God is to prayerfully open up their Bibles  and thoughtfully read  and study it daily.     Growth takes time.     As we daily study God’s word to us,  we will grow  in a true faith,  hope,  and love.     God will be our teacher  and we need  to be attentive students.     Then we will come to know  what we need  to know  “beforehand”  and we will be confident  in our Lord’s workings and salvation.

Being more confident  in God’s love,  we will be better enabled  to give Him “the glory”  that is due His name  because of His faithfulness  in keeping His promises.     Then we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  as You promised,  when we abide in You,  You will abide in us,  to strengthen and keep us  in the true faith.     Let us always live  to Your glory.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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