2 Peter 3:16

Paul taught that Jesus will return. And Paul emphasised in his letters that Christians needed to live good lives before this event. The Christians to whom Peter was writing probably knew Paul’s letters. Peter says that God gave wisdom to Paul as he wrote the letters. Some things in Paul’s letters were hard to understand. Today, many people still think that Paul’s letters are difficult. We should pray that God will help us to understand the Bible. We must never change what it means. And we must not explain it in a false way. Instead, we should learn from good Bible teachers and mature Christians.

Many Christians considered that Paul’s letters were as valuable as the *Old Testament *Scriptures. But some people were not very mature Christians. They changed what Paul taught about God’s *grace. They made it into an excuse for wrong actions (Romans 6:1). They changed what Paul taught about Christian freedom. They said therefore that they could let their physical desires control them (Galatians 5:13). Paul said that Jesus would return soon (Romans 13:11-12). It had not happened yet. Some Christians said that it would never happen. They also explained other *Scriptures in the wrong way. They were false teachers. They chose to live in a wicked way. As a result, God would punish them.

Peter’s final words

v17 Dear friends, you already know these things. Therefore, guard yourselves. These wicked people teach untrue things. Do not let them tempt you away from your firm *faith. v18 Instead, receive more of God’s kindness. Learn more and more about our *Lord and *Saviour Jesus Christ. I pray that he will always have *glory now. And I pray that he will have *glory for ever. *Amen