Simulating Wholesome Thinking

Last week Sunday, I was preaching at Jubilee Church, Farnham, a lovely Commission Church serving the Farnham and Bordon communities well. I was led to speak from 2 Peter 3:1, where Peter the Apostle was writing to the saints in the diaspora (over 2,000 years ago) to stimulate them to wholesome thinking. I feel Peter's message then, is particularly relevant to us now. 

"Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles." (2 Peter 3:1-2) 

Our thought life significantly impacts our actions and behaviour. Speaking against false teachers and scoffers who distort God's word, Peter warned them and us to be alert and sober-minded. He uses "reminders" to stimulate them/us to wholesome thinking. Why would he always remind people of things they "know and are firmly established in?" (2 Pet. 1:12) Well, Peter's reason is clear, it was his farewell letter and he wanted them/us to "always be able to remember these things." (2 Pet. 14-15)

Peter wants them/us to always remember that we are "God's elect, though exiles on earth, we are chosen to be obedient to Jesus and marked with his precious blood."  That's who we are. We are "God's precious possession!" (1 Pet. 1:12 & 2:9). Peter also reminds us of what we have in God. We have "new birth into a living hope. We have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. We are shielded by God's power, and we have EVERYTHING we need for a godly life." (1 Pet. 1:3-4; 2 Pet. 1:3-4)

Despite the grief in all kinds of trials we face now or will face in the future, Peter wants our faith to rest on God's word. "I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Saviour through your apostles." (2 Pet. 3:2). God warned that perilous times will come. There will be false teachers and scoffers who will distort the truth of God's word. Unless we know God's word for ourselves and build our faith on His words, we will be susceptible to the deceit and lies of scoffers. 

Wholesome thinking enables you to have a mindset that is aligned with the truth of God's word. It helps you focus on the whole counsel of God, not on sound bites from preachers, or the current situation you are faced with. Wholesome thinking leads us to live in hope of God's righteous judgement. It makes us far-sighted, not just near-sighted, looking forward to the new creation in full expectation of Christ's return.    

The only way we can make sense of our chaotic world is to understand it from God's perspective. Scoffers will lead us to believe everything will continue as ut always has. They want us to believe that we can just carry on doing what we please, that God does not care, and won't judge the wicked. (2 Pet. 3:3-7). But God's word says, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare." (2 Pet. 3:9-10)

Therefore, every time you think of how chaotic our world is at the moment, remember the reason God has not acted with finality, is His mercy. He wants more and more people to repent. Wholesome thinking therefore should spur us to action. It should spur us to preach the gospel. It should spur us to pray for the not-yet Christians, and it should spur us to be holy and lead godly lives.

Wholesome thinking should always make us ask the question that Peter asks. "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?" Peter helps us with an answer. "You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." (2 Pet. 3:12).