KBM Twist To Their Own Destruction

We are back looking at our 40th “Impact 3:16” lesson today by examining 2 Peter 3:16. We have here one of the more interesting passages as Peter mentions the apostle Paul and his inspired writings. Peter’s final words in this letter (2 Peter 3:14-18) have to do with how we should live in anticipation of Christ return one day and where we find our text for this study. So how is a Christian, who is waiting for Christ’s return, suppose to handle the scriptures and himself.

Let’s go ahead and read this whole section.

2 Peter 3:14–18 (NKJV)

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 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.

A few observations from our text here.

First, Christians are not to just be “sitting idly by” waiting on Christ to return because we are to “be diligent” to be found faithful i.e., without spot and blameless, before God verse 14 tells us.

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Second, there are going to be passages in scripture that are “hard to understand” but notice Peter didn’t say “impossible to understand.” This is the difference between the “milk” of the scriptures and the “meat” of the scriptures.

Hebrews 5:12–14 (NKJV)

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We must never forget “we can know the truth” and God’s word “is truth.”

John 8:32 ESV

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 17:17 ESV

17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Thirdly, and lastly, it is our responsibility to “rightly handle the word of truth” it is not God’s responsibility to “make us understand his word.”

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

If we don’t do our part we will end up “twisting scripture to our destruction” instead of “to our salvation.” Should we really take that chance or should we “diligently seek to know the truth of God’s word” and “live by it.”