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Answer
Peter often encourages his readers to lead a holy life in the present by reminding them of God’s past deeds and future promises. In his final letter, Peter directs their focus towards the future new heavens and new earth, characterized by righteousness (2 Peter 3:11-13). Anticipating these new realms, Peter urges his readers to live in a manner of holiness and godliness. Within this context, Peter warns them, suggesting the possibility of “falling from their secure position.”
Peter makes a heartfelt and personal plea, addressing his readers as “beloved,” and emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace, purity, and blamelessness «Therefore, beloved, since you are looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. », (2 Peter 3:14). Rather than becoming disheartened by the delay in the arrival of the new heavens and new earth, Peter reassures his readers that God’s patience is for the purpose of salvation «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, », (2 Peter 3:15). Peter reminds believers that the apostle Paul also addressed God’s past actions and future plans «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, », (2 Peter 3:15). Although Paul’s writings were significant and truthful, some parts were challenging to comprehend <
“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”, (2 Peter 3:16). Some individuals who are untaught and unstable distort what Paul said and spread false teachings “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”, (2 Peter 3:16). Peter does not want believers to fall into that trap or to fall from their secure position. He warns that, because we know what is coming beforehand, we should be on guard against those false teachings. We should not be carried away by error and thus fall from our secure position “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”, (2 Peter 3:17).
Peter acknowledges that everyone has a responsibility to study and be diligent to pay attention to the Scriptures so they won’t fall from their secure position, their place of safety, or their own steadfastness (as the NASB puts it). Peter is not suggesting that believers can lose their position in Christ. Peter taught that believers are secure in Christ and can never lose that position (see 1 Peter 1:3-5 to see more than ten affirmations of eternal security of the believer). Instead, Peter warns that each believer can be carried away by error and lose their footing.
Choose the safety of holding firmly to the truth that God revealed. We can lose our steadfastness or our secure position and open ourselves up to false teachings that will lead us astray and cause us harm.
Peter loves his readers. He calls them “beloved” several times. He doesn’t want any of them to suffer in this way. Instead, he wants them to focus on what God has told them about what He has done for them and what He will do for them in the future. If we pay attention to what Peter (and Paul) taught, we can avoid being carried away by error. We can avoid falling from our secure positions. We can remain steadfast, aware of the truth and drawing hope from that truth.
