2 Peter: Faith In A Skeptical World Exemplo

Just as God’s people of faith exist in every generation, so too in every generation there will be those who scoff at their faith. The serpent in the garden could be our first example, and Cain might have been the second. Noah no doubt faced criticism while constructing an enormous boat far from sea. Faithless men resisted Moses’ leadership, King David’s rule, the warnings of the Prophets and, most dramatically, the Lord Himself when He walked among us. In the Book of Acts, when the Greek philosophers hear of the resurrection, some wish to hear more, but others scoff (Acts 17:32). 

It is clear, if we heed Peter’s exhortation to study the Old Testament Scriptures and Jesus’ teaching (vv. 1–2), we will be well prepared, expectant even, for scoffers like those Peter describes in verses 3–4. 

‘First of all’ (v. 3) could be paraphrased, ‘make no mistake about this’ or ‘be assured’ – ‘that in the last days scoffers will come’ (v. 3). By ‘last days’ Peter means the period between Jesus’ first and second coming. Christians will share their lives in the last days with those who mock, scoff and ridicule their convictions, on job sites and in university halls. 

Peter says such mockers will be ‘following their own evil desires’ (v. 3), perhaps in a broad moral sense, but the lack of restraint will also characterize their approach to mocking and scoffing (v. 4). 

Peter provides helpful insight into the mockers and their arguments. In verse 4, we see that the mockers ridiculed the idea that Jesus would return: ‘Where is this “coming” he promised?’ Their reasoning, which Peter will soon demolish (vv. 5–10), is built upon historical precedent: ‘Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation’ (v. 4). But more of this will follow in the coming verses. 

Mockery of God and His people is not new, well-grounded, novel, or clever. It’s an ancient practice which never ends well. You can be incorrect about a great many things without always suffering terribly for it. But to be wrong about the Living God? As it is sometimes said, ‘Jesus is the wrong person to be wrong about.’ 

Reflection

The narrow path is often ridiculed as unimpressive, intolerant and outdated, but it is the path Jesus walked, and it leads to eternal life. It may seem few are on that path with you, but innumerable saints have walked the same despised, glorious walk. Some may even walk in your footsteps as they watch you faithfully press on.