Also, regard the patience of our Lord as an opportunity for salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him. He speaks about these things in all his letters in which there are some matters that are hard to understand. The untaught and unstable twist them to their own destruction, as they also do with the rest of the scriptures.
Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stability. But grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. 2 Peter 3:15-18 HCSB
Have you ever told someone a really cool story and then heard them try to retell it and get it all mixed up? Or perhaps you told a really funny joke and had a friend try to tell the same joke only to totally screw it up and mess up the punch line. But what if you had written your story or your joke down? But we don’t do that, right? Now you may email it or text it, but honestly when it is something really exciting, we usually want to share that in person. I have even heard people ask for prayers for someone else only to have their story all twisted up. It happens, right?
But we must be very careful not to get our scripture passages distorted. These are the word of God. We are told in Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32, and Revelation 22:18-19 that we are not to add to or subtract from God’s word. Proverbs 30:6 warns us not to add to God’s Word. We also must be careful about any teaching and preaching that we listen to. Our preacher constantly tells us to look up in scripture and read what he is telling us. He tells us not to take his word for it. God’s word is written down for us in His Holy Bible. This isn’t folklore or stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. The book of Revelation is what God revealed to John after he had been banished to the Isle of Patmos. He wanted John to write these things down so that they could be read and shared and understood until the time of Jesus’ return. God wants us to get it and He wants us to get it right.
Our scripture passage this morning has several key points that we must understand. Verse 15 tells us to be patient. I will admit that I look at the sad state of the world around me and I am pretty eager for Jesus to come and bring me home. Now don’t twist that into saying I am suicidal, it is just that things are getting more evil here by the day. I understand that if God were to come today that a number of people would be left behind, including some of my loved ones. So, I will do as the scripture says and wait patiently. I will pray and hope that during the time we have left more and more will turn to God and be saved.
We are then told to pay careful attention to the writings of Paul. I have often heard that a new beginner should start by reading the book of John. But I would strongly suggest that Romans be the second book to read. Remember that the book of Romans was one of many in the new testament written by Paul. Also remember that Paul was a well-educated man from a good family that persecuted Christians. He was converted on the road to Damascus and spent the rest of his life preaching the gospel. He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked and imprisoned all because of his preaching God’s word, but he remained true to God until his death. Paul can teach us a thing or two about how Christians should live.
Don’t twist the scriptures and don’t waste your time listening to someone who does. These are described as the untaught, some simply don’t know any better. They are also described as the unstable. When we submit our lives to Christ and live according to His will for us, we are given wisdom and discernment. We have stability. If something doesn’t seem right when you hear it coming from the pulpit or the pew, check it out. Be sure you have it right. Many will twist the scriptures to suit their own purpose. Be very careful of these false teachings.
Another important instruction, be on guard. Do not be led astray by those who twist the scriptures. Get yourself a good study bible. There are several versions out there that are easy to understand. Don’t read the bible, study the bible. Also, don’t try to understand the bible on your own. That’s what Sunday School, church services, and bible study groups are for, so that you can study God’s word with fellow believers.
While we are patiently awaiting our entrance into heaven, don’t just sit there, grow in God’s grace and knowledge. Find a good bible teaching church that offers bible study sessions through Sunday School, Sunday night services and/or at least one bible study session during the week. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to question when it seems as though someone is twisting the scripture. Pray to God for wisdom and discernment. Ask Him to guide you in finding a good study bible and a good bible study group.
Have a great day!