DON'T ENTERTAIN SCOFFERS

08/05/2024

"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts" (2 Peter 3:1-3).

There is a need to have your guards up. Why? Because the Bible says to do so. The first key the Apostle Peter gives us in today's theme scripture is to have our minds full of the scriptures. One of the characteristics of the end times would be the emergence of people the Bible signifies as "scoffers." Scoffers are those who make fun of or mock us for our faith in Jesus Christ. They mock Christianity as an outdated or repressive system of belief and mock our moral choices in every conceivable manner.

The subtlety of the mockery of scoffers is designed to make the believer doubt and compromise on the standards of the Word of God and is itself a virulent form of persecution. Uncompromising Christians in college are jeered at and even labeled for sticking to chastity and made to feel like there is something wrong for not tolerating or partaking in immorality. Christians at work are mocked because they choose to stick to the rules of the workplace and refuse to cut corners. You hear people use terms like, "Don't mind her, she won’t 'play ball' because she claims to be a Christian."

Saint, don't feel bad when people call you names for not compromising on the standards of the Word of God. Rather, embrace whatever label they give you, counting yourself worthy to suffer shame for the name of the Lord as the Apostles did in Acts 5:41.

As we prepare for the coming of the Lord, it is important to become convinced about your convictions to the point of staking your life by considering the enormous investment that God made for your salvation and the salvation of the world. Hebrews 12:3-4 says, "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin."

The race set before us is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring enormous spiritual endurance, which is why you cannot be a casual reader of the Bible. Study and become grounded in the Word of God as a means of dealing with scoffers. Colossians 3:16-17 says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Don't entertain people who jeer at you for your faith. Rather, firmly state your convictions and let the Holy Spirit convict them until they turn to Jesus.

May God's face be seen in yours today.

Faith-Filled Confession

I am God's emblem of hope to my world. Therefore, I refuse to be put down by the aspersions of sense-ruled and demon-inspired people. I am the Light of the world, and in me is the way to salvation through Christ Jesus. For this reason, I make bold to declare my convictions in the Word of God without a sense of shame or reproach. I am what the world needs today, and I proclaim the name of Jesus to the world around me. Hallelujah!

One-Year Bible Reading Plan: Psalm 75-77; Romans 6