Salvation Tense: Sanctification (Present Tense)
2 Peter 3:1–2 — “This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you; that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior.”
═══ OPORD ═══
WHO: Peter, writing his second letter to beloved believers. He identifies his audience as sincere (eilikrines — pure, uncontaminated) in mind.
WHAT: Peter’s strategy has not changed: remind, remind, remind. He points to three sources of authority: (1) the holy prophets (Old Testament), (2) the apostles (New Testament teaching), and (3) the Lord and Savior (Christ Himself). These three witnesses form the complete testimony. Sanctification is fueled by remembering — the prophets who pointed forward to Christ, the apostles who testified to Christ, and Christ Himself who is the center of it all. Peter’s method is not novelty but repetition of established truth.
WHERE: In the mind — Peter targets the “sincere mind” because that is where sanctification begins. Renew your mind and your life follows.
WHEN: Both letters — Peter’s entire written legacy is an exercise in reminding.
WHY: Because the mind forgets, the flesh distracts, and the world drowns out truth with noise. Without deliberate remembering, you drift. The prophets, the apostles, and the Lord have spoken — your job is to remember and obey.
═══ PRAYER ═══
Father, stir up my sincere mind today. Help me remember the words of Your prophets, the commandments of Your apostles, and the teaching of my Lord Jesus Christ. Let truth take up permanent residence in my thinking. I choose to remember when the world tells me to forget. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
═══ DAILY CHALLENGES ═══
Challenge 1: Read one Old Testament prophecy about Christ today (Isaiah 53 is an excellent choice). Connect it to the Gospel.
Challenge 2: Write down one commandment from an apostle (e.g., Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:32, or James 1:22) and practice it deliberately today.