“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance” (II Peter 3:1).

It is extremely important in these last days to be diligent in active awareness of our sobering responsibilities as Christians. Peter relates in his second epistle, chapter 3, four characteristics of the “being” Christian: “Beloved . . . BE mindful” (3:1,2): Be mindful of “the words which were spoken before” that is, keep in your minds God’s word. Christians are admonished to “stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.” Don’t forget the word of God. The pure word will counteract the evil word of the scoffers (3:3,4) which, as defined in this passage, are the evolutionary uniformitarians who deny that God has intervened on various occasions (especially Creation and the Flood) in the affairs of this world. “Beloved . . . BE not ignorant” (3:8). As far as the Christian is concerned, there is no excuse for ignorance. The believer should not be ignorant of the Lord’s timetable (3:8); the Lord’s salvation (3:9); nor the Day of the Lord (3:10–13). The contrast for the believer is the evolutionist who is “willingly ignorant” of the creation and the flood (3:5,6). “Beloved . . . BE diligent” (3:14): (3:14): Diligence should be found in our upward look (3:14): our outward conduct (3:14); and our daily witnessing (3:15). “Beloved . . . BEware” (3:17): “Lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” The Christian who is not alert to the errors of the wicked is in constant danger of falling away. On the negative side, “Beware!” On the positive side, “be ye holy” (I Peter 1:16); “be ye steadfast” (I Corinthians 15:58); “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). NPS