God's Inspired Word

2 Peter 3:15-16 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
 
PETER continues to encourage the church to be patient for Jesus’ return and to stand against those who mock their faith. God is patient to complete his plan to save his church into heaven. Honor the Lord with a diligent faith to believe his promises. And truly, why should we be concerned? Whenever we move from this life, we will move into heaven.  
   Peter’s reference to Paul reminds us of these two apostles and the others working in obedience to Jesus’ Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
   Apparently Paul had written to the Asia Minor churches as well. He was instrumental in helping some to begin. It is important to know is that Peter and Paul taught the same truths. Called and appointed by Jesus, these men witnessed for Jesus, who was with them always through the Holy Spirit’s power. When Peter wrote that some of Paul’s words may be hard to understand, he does not discount their truth. Bible studies are called “studies” for a reason. Paul, Peter and the others wrote to teach us to obey Jesus’ commands. Sometimes these teachings are difficult to understand because God’s truth is much different than our natural mind can easily understand. For example, Peter could have referred to such wondrous truths as Ephesians 2:4-5 God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions –  it is by grace you have been saved. It is, indeed, difficult to understand how God loves us so much he raises us from the grave of our sins into his glorious resurrection. Scripture’s truth is only revealed because Jesus is with us to the end of the age through the Holy Spirit to help us know God.
   Note one other thing about Peter’s comment on Paul’s writings. Peter puts them on the level of the other Scriptures – the Old Testament. This is making Paul’s writings equal to God’s revealed Word to the prophets! Through Paul’s letters the church was developing the foundational knowledge of the Christian faith. Paul’s letters have become part of the New Testament because the Spirit of Christ was with him to inspire his teachings. All of the apostles’ teachings are the foundation of the church: Ephesians 2:19-20 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. The gospels and epistles are the building blocks of faith for each Christian life and each church. We must study them with our hearts and minds to know and to live their truths.