Tuesday, 13th October 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文 「你們既然預先知道這事，就當防備，恐怕被惡人的錯謬誘惑，就從自己堅固的地步上墜落。你們卻要在我們主救主耶穌基督的恩典和知識上有長進。願榮耀歸給他，從今直到永遠。阿們！」——彼得後書3:17–18，和合本
引言
來到彼得後書第三章，也來到這兩封書信最後的提醒。彼得前書鼓勵信徒，在苦難中仍然信靠神，活出聖潔；彼得後書提醒信徒，要防備假師傅，在認識主的事上長進。第三章呼應這些重要的信息，將我們帶到一個問題面前：我們既然相信主必再來，今天應當怎樣生活？
當時，有人譏誚主再來的應許。他們看見世界一直照常運作，就質疑主是否真的會回來。彼得指出，這些人隨從自己的私慾，故意忘記神曾經施行的作為。
我們也會面對信心的考驗。禱告了，事情仍然沒有改變；按照神的話生活，卻遇到困難；願意跟從主，卻要放下自己的想法，甚至承受別人的不理解。這時候，我們是否仍然相信神，繼續走祂的道路？
信仰需要持守，跟從主需要付上代價。我們讀經、禱告、參加聚會，是要更認識神，領受祂的話，並且將所相信的活出來。真正的信靠，會進入每天的選擇，幫助我們過敬虔的生活。
今天，我們一起從這一章，學習怎樣在盼望中持守主的道路。
一、相信神的話，在質疑中站穩（3:1–7）
彼得一開始說，他寫這兩封信，是要提醒信徒，激發他們誠實的心，叫他們記念聖先知所說的話，以及主藉使徒所傳的命令。信徒已經領受真理，仍然需要被提醒。因為當我們長時間面對困難，又聽見不同的聲音時，很容易讓眼前的情況影響我們對神的信心。
譏誚的人問：「主要降臨的應許在哪裏呢？」他們認為，萬物與起初創造的時候仍然一樣，因此質疑主再來的應許。彼得卻指出，他們故意忘記：天地是憑神的話而有，當時的世界也曾經被洪水淹沒。現在的天地，同樣憑神的話存留，直到不敬虔的人受審判的日子。
世界今天仍然照常運作，並不代表神將來不會施行審判。主尚未再來，也不代表祂的應許失效。神的話既然曾經成就，我們就應當認真看待祂對將來所說的話。彼得也指出，這些人的質疑與他們的生活態度有關。他們隨從自己的私慾，不願正視神曾經施行的審判。
因此，我們需要省察自己：當神的話觸碰我們的想法和慾望時，我們是否願意接受？還是只接受自己喜歡的部分，對需要悔改、順服的地方，就選擇忽略？相信神的話，包括接受祂的安慰，也接受祂的提醒和責備。
在日常生活中，即使禱告的結果與我們所期待的不同，我們仍然相信神的信實，按照祂已經啟示的話生活。我們需要分清楚，自己的期待未必就是神已經應許的事；但神所應許的，祂必定成就。
當家庭、工作或服事遇到困難，我們可以將困惑帶到神面前，同時回到聖經，問自己：神的話怎樣教導我？今天，我應當怎樣順服祂？持守主的道路，首先要相信神的話，讓祂的真理成為我們站立的根基。
二、盼望主再來，活出聖潔敬虔（3:8–13）
彼得接着提醒信徒：「主看一日如千年，千年如一日。」
這句話提醒我們，神不受人的時間尺度限制。我們不能用它計算主再來的日期，也不能要求神按照我們的時間成就祂的應許。
第九節說：「主所應許的尚未成就，有人以為他是耽延，其實不是耽延，乃是寬容你們，不願有一人沉淪，乃願人人都悔改。」
我們以為神太慢，彼得卻讓我們看見，這段等候的時間包含着神的憐憫。祂給人機會悔改，回轉歸向祂。所以，今天仍然有時間，我們就應當珍惜。生命中有需要悔改的地方，就回應神；有需要停止的罪，就願意放下；有需要修復的關係，就開始踏出合宜的一步。
但神的忍耐並不表示審判不會來。彼得說，主的日子要像賊來到一樣，讓沒有預備的人措手不及。現在的天地將面對神的審判，因此他問：「你們為人該當怎樣聖潔，怎樣敬虔？」
彼得把將來的事，帶到我們今天的生活。主必再來，我們就要預備自己；天地將面對審判，我們就要認真看待自己的生活；我們盼望有義居住的新天新地，今天就應當學習行在神的公義中。
在家庭裏，我們願不願意控制自己的語氣，不讓怒氣傷害所愛的人？在工作中，我們願不願意誠實，即使這樣可能使自己吃虧？面對誘惑時，我們願不願意放下眼前想要的，選擇討主喜悅？
跟從主的代價，常常就在這些日常選擇裏。我們需要放下私慾，承認自己的錯，也可能要放棄一些利益。我們願意這樣做，是因為相信主，相信祂所應許的值得我們等候。
彼得也勸我們切切仰望神的日子來到。我們照祂的應許，盼望新天新地，有義居在其中。這份盼望，使我們在今天仍然願意忠心生活，期待神的公義完全彰顯，祂的應許完全成就。相信神的話之後，就要按照祂的話生活，讓盼望帶出今天的順服。
三、持續認識主，分辨並持守真理（3:14–18）
在最後一段，彼得勸信徒殷勤預備自己，沒有玷污，無可指摘，安然見主。我們既然盼望主再來，就要認真看待今天的生命。當主指出我們有需要改變的地方，要願意回應祂，讓祂的恩典更新我們。
彼得也說，要以主長久忍耐為得救的因由。主的忍耐，是給人悔改、得救的機會。我們應當珍惜祂的憐憫，回應祂，也關心那些仍未認識主的人，把握機會向他們分享福音。
接着，彼得提到保羅。他指出，保羅也照着神所賜的智慧寫信，講論這些事。因此，信徒應當認真領受使徒的教導。彼得承認，保羅的書信中有些內容不容易明白。有些缺乏理解、信仰不穩固的人，卻曲解這些話，正如他們曲解其他經書一樣，結果使自己走向沉淪。
這提醒我們，面對教導時需要分辨。有人引用聖經，我們仍然要查考，他的解釋是否符合經文原本的意思。一個信息很吸引人，也需要察驗，它是否忠於神的話。我們可以問：這段經文的上下文在說甚麼？這個解釋是否符合整本聖經的教導？它是否幫助我們更認識主，更願意悔改和順服祂？
遇到不明白的地方，要願意學習、查考，也向成熟可信的牧者請教。遇到難解的經文，不要急着下結論，更不要按自己的喜好解釋。我們越謙卑地認識神的話，就越能分辨不同的教導。
彼得警告信徒，要防備錯謬，免得從自己堅固的地步上墜落。接着，他指出我們應當繼續走的方向：「你們卻要在我們主救主耶穌基督的恩典和知識上有長進。」
在主的恩典中長進，是持續倚靠祂所賜的恩典，讓生命被祂塑造，越來越願意順服祂。在認識主的事上長進，是藉着祂的話更認識祂，並將所明白的實行出來。
持守信仰需要持續成長。我們不能只靠過去聽過的信息，或曾經有過的經歷。今天仍然要親近主，查考祂的話，回應祂的提醒。即使發現自己有軟弱、有走偏的地方，也要願意回轉，接受主的赦免和幫助，重新跟隨祂。
彼得最後將榮耀歸給主。當我們在主的恩典和知識上長進，生命也應當越來越尊主為大，讓祂得着榮耀。我們持續在主裏長進，才能更深扎根於真理，站立得穩，繼續走主的道路。
總結
彼得後書第三章，呼應前後兩封書信的重要提醒：在苦難中信靠神，在錯誤教導面前站立得穩，在等候主的日子活出聖潔。我們怎樣在盼望中持守主的道路？
- 首先，相信神的話，在質疑中站穩，建立信心的根基。
- 接着，盼望主再來，活出聖潔敬虔，讓信心成為實際的行動。
- 然後，持續認識主，分辨並持守真理，繼續走在祂的道路上。
信仰需要持守，跟從主需要付上代價。支持我們繼續走下去的，是主的恩典，也是對祂的信靠。我們相信祂的話真實，祂的應許必定成就，因此願意在今天的生活中順服祂。主既然必再來，我們今天就要忠心跟從祂，在盼望中持守主的道路。
Key Scripture “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” —2 Peter 3:17–18, NKJV
Introduction
Today, we come to the final chapter of 2 Peter. We also come to the closing words of these two letters.
In 1 Peter, believers are encouraged to trust God and live holy lives, even in suffering. In 2 Peter, they are warned against false teachers and encouraged to grow in their knowledge of the Lord.
Chapter 3 brings these important reminders together and asks us a question: If we believe that the Lord will return, how should we live today?
Some people were mocking the promise of His return. They saw the world continuing as usual and questioned whether He would really come again. Peter explains that these people followed their own desires and deliberately ignored what God had done.
We also face tests of faith. We pray, but our situation may remain the same. We obey God’s Word, but still face difficulties. We follow the Lord, but have to put aside our own desires. Sometimes, other people may not understand us.
At such times, will we continue to trust God and follow His way?
We need to hold firm to our faith. Following the Lord comes with a cost. As we read the Bible, pray, and worship together, we are learning to know God and live according to His Word. Our faith needs to be expressed in our daily choices.
Today, let us learn from this chapter how to hold firm to the Lord’s way with hope.
- Trust God’s Word and Stand Firm When Doubts Come (3:1–7)
Peter begins by explaining why he wrote these two letters. He wants to remind the believers of the truth and stir up their sincere minds. He calls them to remember the words of the holy prophets and the Lord’s command given through the apostles.
They already knew the truth, but they still needed reminders. We need reminders too. When difficulties continue for a long time, and we hear many different voices, our circumstances can begin to affect our trust in God.
The scoffers asked: “Where is the promise of His coming?”
They argued that everything had continued as it was from the beginning of creation. So they questioned the promise of the Lord’s return.
Peter points out what they deliberately ignored. The heavens and the earth came into being through God’s Word. The world of that time was destroyed by the flood. The present heavens and earth are also kept by God’s Word until the day of judgment.
The world continuing as usual does not mean that judgment will never come. The Lord has not yet returned, but His promise remains true.
God’s Word has been fulfilled in the past. We should therefore take seriously what He says about the future.
Peter also connects the scoffers’ doubts with their way of life. They followed their own desires and refused to face the reality of God’s judgment. This calls us to examine our own hearts.
When God’s Word challenges our thoughts and desires, are we willing to receive it? Or do we accept the parts we like and ignore the parts that call us to repent and obey?
Trusting God’s Word means receiving His comfort, His correction, and His warnings.
In daily life, the answers to our prayers may be different from what we hoped for. Even then, we can trust God’s faithfulness and live according to His revealed Word.
We need to remember that our personal expectations are not always promises from God. But whatever God has promised, He will fulfil.
When we face difficulties at home, at work, or in ministry, we can bring our questions to Him. We can also return to Scripture and ask: What does God’s Word teach me? How should I obey Him today?
To hold firm to the Lord’s way, we must first trust His Word and build our lives on His truth.
- Look Forward to the Lord’s Return and Live a Holy, Godly Life (3:8–13)
Peter then reminds the believers: “With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
God is not limited by our understanding of time. This verse does not give us a way to calculate the date of His return. It reminds us that we cannot expect God to fulfil His promises according to our timetable.
Verse 9 says: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
We may think God is taking too long. Peter helps us see His mercy in the waiting. God is giving people an opportunity to repent and turn to Him.
So we should value the time we have today.
If there is something we need to repent of, let us respond to God. If there is a sin we need to stop, let us turn away from it. If a relationship needs healing, let us take an appropriate step towards it.
But God’s patience does not mean that judgment will never come. Peter says that the day of the Lord will come like a thief. It will take those who are unprepared by surprise. The present heavens and earth will face God’s judgment.
Peter therefore asks what kind of people we ought to be in holy conduct and godliness. He brings the future into our lives today.
Because the Lord will return, we should prepare ourselves. Because judgment will come, we should take our way of life seriously. Because we look forward to new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells, we should learn to live righteously today.
At home, are we willing to control our words so that our anger does not hurt the people we love? At work, are we willing to be honest, even when honesty may cost us something? When temptation comes, are we willing to put aside what we want and choose what pleases the Lord?
The cost of following Jesus is often found in these everyday choices. We may need to put aside selfish desires, admit our mistakes, or give up certain benefits.
We do this because we trust the Lord. We believe that what He has promised is worth waiting for.
Peter also calls us to look forward eagerly to the day of God. According to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells.
This hope gives us a reason to remain faithful today. We look forward to the day when God’s righteousness is fully revealed and His promise is fulfilled.
When we trust God’s Word, we must live according to it. Our hope in His return should lead to obedience today.
- Keep Growing in the Lord, Discern What You Hear, and Hold Firm to the Truth (3:14–18)
In the final part of this chapter, Peter urges the believers to be diligent, so that they may be found by the Lord in peace, without spot and blameless.
Since we look forward to His return, we should take our lives seriously today. When the Lord shows us something that needs to change, we should respond and allow His grace to shape us.
Peter also tells us to consider the Lord’s patience as salvation.
His patience gives people an opportunity to repent and be saved. We should value His mercy and respond to Him. We should also care for those who do not yet know the Lord and take opportunities to share the gospel with them.
Peter then speaks about Paul. He says that Paul also wrote about these matters, according to the wisdom God had given him. Believers should therefore take the teaching of the apostles seriously.
Peter acknowledges that some things in Paul’s letters are difficult to understand. Some people, who lack understanding and are unstable, twist these words. They do the same with the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
This reminds us to discern the teaching we hear. When someone quotes the Bible, we still need to examine whether the explanation agrees with the meaning of the passage. A message may sound attractive, but we need to ask whether it is faithful to God’s Word.
We can ask:
- What is this passage saying in its context?
- Does this explanation agree with the teaching of the whole Bible?
- Does it help us know the Lord and respond to Him in repentance and obedience?
When we do not understand something, we should be willing to learn, study, and seek help from mature, trustworthy pastors.
We should not rush to conclusions about difficult passages or explain them according to our own preferences. As we humbly learn God’s Word, we become better able to discern what we hear.
Peter warns the believers to be on guard, so that error will not lead them away from their firm foundation.
Then he gives them a positive direction: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
To grow in His grace means continuing to depend on the grace He gives us. We allow Him to shape our lives and teach us to obey Him more fully.
To grow in our knowledge of Him means knowing Him more deeply through His Word and putting what we learn into practice.
Holding firm to our faith requires continued growth. We cannot depend only on messages we heard in the past or experiences we once had. We need to draw near to the Lord, study His Word, and respond to Him today.
If we discover weakness in our lives, or realise that we have gone off course, we should turn back to Him. We can receive His forgiveness and help, and follow Him again.
Peter ends by giving glory to the Lord. As we grow in His grace and knowledge, our lives should increasingly honour Him.
As we keep growing in the Lord, we become more deeply rooted in His truth and better able to stand firm in His way.
Conclusion
The final chapter of 2 Peter brings together important reminders from both letters: trust God in suffering, stand firm against false teaching, and live a holy life while waiting for the Lord.
How can we hold firm to the Lord’s way with hope?
- First, trust God’s Word and stand firm when doubts come. This gives us a firm foundation.
- Second, look forward to the Lord’s return and live a holy, godly life. This puts our faith into action.
- Third, keep growing in the Lord, discern what we hear, and hold firm to the truth. This helps us continue faithfully in His way.
We need to hold firm to our faith. Following the Lord comes with a cost. His grace sustains us as we continue to trust Him.
We believe that His Word is true and that His promise will be fulfilled. Therefore, we choose to obey Him in our lives today.
Since the Lord will return, let us follow Him faithfully today and hold firm to His way with hope.
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