Paul’s message was that faith plus nothing, the grace of God, is salvation. In Jesus alone are we saved.
1 Corinthians 1:17-19 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. Christ the Power and Wisdom of God 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:21-31 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
Romans 1:21-23 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
The intellectual things of the world are nothing compared to the wisdom of God. All wisdom and all knowledge come from Him. It was only in His power that sin and satan’s control were destroyed in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. The Jews required a miracle, the Greeks philosophy to believe in Gods’ existence. Jesus became a stumbling block to their beliefs. The weakness of God is more powerful than any wisdom of man. God showed miracle upon miracle to the Jews in the Old Testament. This same power of the Holy Spirit that worked in their lives is now within those who believe.` To God alone belongs all honor and glory. He used the humble things of this world to show us the way.
2 Peter 3:15-18 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
We live and abide in the grace of God in His gift in the salvation of Jesus. Precept by precept believers are taught the ways of Jesus through the indwelling of Holy Spirit and His power in our lives to do good. Carla
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
The scoffers regarded the delay in the Jesus’ return as evidence that He would not come after all. Believers should take the delay in Jesus’ return as evidence of His patient desire to save. The recipients of this letter knew Paul, and had received at least one letter from him. Paul expressed a similar view as Peter on the delay of Christ’s return (Romans 2:4; 9:22–24). Even at this early stage of church history, Paul’s writings were being misrepresented (2 Peter 3:4–12). The comments about Paul’s writings suggest that their misuse was one of the problems underlying the heretical teachings.
Like Peter, Paul regularly discusses Christ’s return and uses it to justify paying close attention to God’s work and living a life of integrity (1 Thessalonians 5:1–11). Based on the context, the false teachers were likely either exploiting one of Paul’s teachings on the return of Jesus or using Paul’s theology of salvation to argue that people could now do whatever they wished (Romans 6). Peter expresses a high regard for Paul’s writings, classifying them as part of the sacred writings of the early church. Peter is exposing that ungodly people often attempt to justify their actions by twisting Scripture to suit their own purposes.
The false teachers have moved from Christ to destructive heresy (2 Peter 2:20–22). Peter aims to caution his audience against this. The false teachers are characterized by their immorality; this same word is used of the people of Sodom.
Here, at the conclusion of the letter, it seems that 2 Peter returns to the material shared with Jude (Jude 24–25). Although Peter offers a shortened version of the hymn in Jude, the same terminology to describe God’s work is deployed—calling Jesus “Lord” and “Savior” and proclaiming His glory for all time. Like Jude, Peter then ends with “Amen.”
Peter asserts that the best way to resist incorrect teachings is to grow in understanding of Christ and His work. Taken with 2 Peter 1:2, which mentions the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, this phrase acts as a type of literary bracketing to 2 Peter as a whole (an inclusio). This technique is likely deployed to indicate that the necessary knowledge that believers should grow in is contained in the body of the letter. Peter also insists that they experience the unmerited gift of God, His grace (1:11). Although they have been in danger of being led astray, they can receive Jesus’ grace and live as people in right standing with God.
The full honor belongs to Jesus (Romans 1:23). This is a fitting closing in light of Peter’s emphasis in this letter on the Day of the Lord. Glory is given to Jesus both now and on the day when He returns in glory. Faithlife Study Bible
Note that Peter equates the letters of Paul with the rest of the Scriptures, indicating that Peter considered the apostle Paul’s writings to be the Word of God. Note that Peter considers Paul’s writings on the end times to be hard to understand. This should be a comfort to each of us who attempt to interpret the writings of Paul on the coming of Christ. Even Peter found them difficult. Because of this, however, Peter says some people who are untaught and unstable destroy themselves. Untaught refers to one whose mind is untrained and undisciplined in habits of thought. Unstable refers to one whose conduct is not properly established on the truths of God’s Word. Peter admonishes his readers that since they know truth, they should depart from the error of the wicked and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. The NKJV Study Bible
Romans 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Hebrews 5:11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
Acts 1:8 (ESV) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Jesus gave His disciples a promise and a purpose before He ascended into heaven. In a world that often measures influence in terms of the loudest voice, largest reach or highest achievement, we can easily fall for the lie that our everyday, mundane actions have little or no impact. The truth of God's Word, however, is that God can use anyone anywhere to play a role in His redemptive plan.
All we need is to be willing, take small steps of faith, and trust that the Holy Spirit will empower us to fulfill the purpose God has for us. Even our small acts of obedience are part of God's greater plan for His love to reach new hearts and places around the globe. First5
An elder is speaking to a gathering of children. “In my spirit, there are two fierce tigers: Anger-Hatred and Love-Compassion. And they are fighting to the death.”
A fearful child asks, “Which one will win?”
The elder replies: “The one that I feed the most.”
Yes, disruption, disarray, disillusionment and sorrow are real, and each can be a part of our lives.
But here’s the deal: they do not get to say how the story ends.
How do I choose love and compassion and kindness over anger and hatred? How do I make space for healing and redemption and reconciliation?
One... Fear is not the final answer.
Two... We can and do create safe (sanctuary) places.
We can do that. And, we can do that for people we know who live with emotional or spiritual, or even physical harm.
John Lewis’ reminder, “Our actions entrench the power of the light on this planet. Every positive thought we pass between us makes room for more light. And if we do more than think, then our actions clear the path for even more light. That is why forgiveness and compassion must become more important principles in public life.” (Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change)
Today, what am I (are we) going to invest in, with our time, energy, heart and passion? I have an idea. With our moments and day… Let us serve. Let us stand up. Let us help those who are left out. Let us hug. Let us heal. Sabbath Moments
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