EVENING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10/30/2025 9:00 PM
My Worship Time Focus: “Kindness”
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: 2 Peter 1:12b
Message of the verses: “even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.”
In the first part of verse twelve that we looked at yesterday that part of the verse states that Peter was already to remind his readers of these things, and then as we begin the second part of the verse, the part we are looking at this evening he tells his readers that they actually knew these things. I think that it is good to be reminded of things that are important to us to remember because we probably will forget certain things that we should not forget. This happened to me in the Spiritual Diary that I posted on my other blog this morning, as it was kind of an extra SD, but reading over it seemed to me that this was just what the Lord wanted me to read, as some of the things in it I needed to be reminded of and am thankful that the Lord used that SD to remind me of those things, so this kind of goes along with what Peter writes in this last half of verse 1:12b.
It was gook that Peter was a kind shepherd as he truly understood and exhibited sensitivity for his flock. The Scripture extols gentleness writes MacArthur and then gives the following verses which show this: (2 Cor. 10:1; Gal. 5:A23; 6:1; 1 Thess. 2:7; 2 Tim. 2:25). Then we look next at meekness and the verses that MacArthur gives (cf. Matt. 5:5, KJJV; 1 Tim. 6:11, KJV; James 3:13 KJV). Next is tenderness and this verse (Eph. 4:32), characteristics Peter displayed when he acknowledge that his readers already possessed godly virtue. He was encouraging, not condescending or indifferent to their devotion to Christ (cf. 1 Peter 5:2-3).
MacArthur concludes this short section by writing the following: “The recipients of this letter undoubtedly had heard other inspired New Testament letters read and preached (cf. 3:15-16) so they knew and believed the truth, so as to be established in it. The verb rendered established (sterizo), meaning to ‘firmly establish,’ or ‘to strengthen,’ is a perfect passive participle indicating a settled condition. They had given evidence by their faithfulness that the true gospel was strongly present with them. Peter affirmed them without doubt as genuine, maturing believers. He could have echoed Paul’s words to the Colossians, ‘You previously heard in the word for truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth’ (Col. 1:5b-6; cf. 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 John 2:27;2 John 2). When anyone comes to know Christ, the truth abides in him (2 Peter 1:12; 1 John 2:14, 27; 2 John 2; cf. John 17:19; 2 Cor. 11:10; Eph. 4:24; 6:14). It was still imperative that Peter’s readers receive this reminder, in view of the threat they faced from the powerful infiltration of false teachers (chapter 2 of this letter).”
Looks like we have one shorter one tomorrow, and then Saturday will be a bit longer probably breaking it into two parts. 10/30/2025 9:29 PM
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