Protecting ourselves against falling as we wait to see Jesus again
By Dean Collins
Talk to any older person, caregiver to an older person, or medical professional and they will tell you that falling can lead to a multitude of problems for older people. Bones break more easily as you age. Healing of cuts, gashes, and broken bones takes more time. And when you can’t move around, other health challenges can accelerate. So older people try to be careful about not falling.
There are many reasons older people do fall. Vision problems, muscle weakness, low blood pressure, and reactions to various medications can all lead to being unstable. Once you are unstable, lots of bad things can happen. There are, of course, many practical things to do to avoid being unstable and tripping: Get medical checkups, exercise to keep muscle strength, remove or secure throw rugs and cords that create fall hazards, have something or someone to hold on to when moving around, and pay attention to what you’re doing.
Waiting without a fall
As Peter closes his second letter, he writes about the second coming of Jesus and gives believers things we must do as we wait for Christ’s return. He calls us to be diligent in our preparation so that we will be found without spot or blemish and at peace. Peter is telling his readers how to avoid a fall, and following all of his advice requires both caution and intentionality.
Peter’s concern wasn’t that we might physically trip due to temporary instability. His concern was that in every age there will be teachers who might seem to be prophets or teachers of God’s truth but in fact they are false teachers who twist doctrines to fit their preferences.
Peter referred to some of the apostle Paul’s writing and indicated that the discussion of Christ’s return, including references to judgment that was also coming, was difficult to understand. I suspect you would agree that both in the Old Testament and New Testament there are passages that are harsh and difficult to read. Some are hard to understand and may even appear not to sound like the ways of a loving God.
On the other hand, Peter tells us that we should consider Christ’s delay as salvation. That is, his delay is an act of kindness so that more and more people might experience his grace and forgiveness and therefore be at peace when Jesus returns. First Timothy 2:3-4 and 4:10 are two of several passages teaching that God desires all people to come to him and accept his gift of life.
Abiding in Jesus, deepening our understanding of God’s Word, and displaying the fruit of the Spirit and the wisdom of God can prevent ignorance. They also will make it unlikely that we become unstable and then begin to twist truth.
Glorifying Jesus
As we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus, it will become apparent that we no longer will be seeking attention for self. John the Baptist said it well when he met Jesus: “He must increase and I must decrease.” Whenever we catch ourselves seeking attention so that our power, our position, or our purposes are noticed, it won’t be long before we will become unstable and fall. On the other hand, the more we see Jesus glorified by what we say and do, the more obvious it will be that our spiritual house is in order and will stand the tests that come from false teachers.
As we age in life, we would do well to pay attention not only to the things that might trip us up physically. The things that will trip us up spiritually are vastly more important.
Your time with God’s Word
2 Peter 3:14-18 ESV
Photo by Alexas_Fotos at Unsplash.com
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
To download a printable version of today’s post, click here.
