Just wanted to share some thoughts from my time in the Word this morning. Hope youre blessed by it as I was. I have been reading through the New Testament for the past month for a class, and I was reading through 2 Peter this morning. In the first 2 chapters of 2 Peter, Peter is writing with warning of false teachers. As I read through these chapters, an issue of conviction was brought to mind. As Im sure all of you know, a few weeks ago the State of NC voted on Amendment One, the legalization of same-sex marriages. Over the days before and days after, the facebook world blew up over this issue. Everyone sharing their opinions and arguing with those who disagree with their views. As I read so many, I wanted to respond so badly out of my frustration. I withheld, until about a week ago, and finally gave in and responded to a friend's (an unbeliever) status. I wrote (in my opionion) a simple and patient response defending the view of For amendment one. My comment was quickly questioned and argued against by many. I think sometimes I am guilty of finding comfort in my Christian bubble, and I think that everyone shares in my views and believes in the Bible as Truth. Well, I was definitely reminded that this is not so.

1 Peter 15-16
 ^" but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

Oh how crucial it is for us to be prepared to make a defense for the Gospel. If you are going to so strongly believe in something, you should be able to explain why you believe what you do.  But this is not the only command of this verse - It is also very crucial to do so with gentleness and respect, with a good conscience. I believe that this is where many of the church have failed over this issue.

As I was reading this morning, I was brought through 2 Peter.

2 Peter 3: 14-18
 "Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. ¹⁵ And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, ¹⁶ as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. ¹⁷ You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. ¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

Many of those who argued against my views, were using Scripture, but way out of context! Should I be so suprised? Those who do not believe, do not hold Jesus in the same perspective as I do, nor the Bible. Knowing this, I am called to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. We should not act out of frustration and try to argue to win our point.

2 Peter 3:8-10
" But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed."

The Lord is patient and so gracious, and are we not striving to be like Him? Where is our patience and grace with those who do not believe? We should responsd to them out of brokeness over their state of unbelief, rather than frustration over their differing views. The Lord desires that all reach repentance, and we should share in that desire, with the same grace and patience. Let us make a defense for the Gospel, and do so with grace, to bring Glory to His name, and Make His Name Known Among the Nations!!!

-Laurel