REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on December 26, 2016, is provided by Pastor Joshua Kim. Joshua, a graduate of Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (Th.M.), is the Lead Pastor of Upper Room Seattle church.  

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Losing the Sight of the Simple, Pure Gospel”
2 Peter 3:1-7
This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

My wife and I just celebrated our first anniversary. Time flies, doesn’t it? It seems just like yesterday that I experienced the rude awakening of ring shopping. Because neither of us knew anything about engagement rings, we went to one of those big-name jewelry shops to get educated. The man who helped us was a genteel, old man with a faint British accent. Sensing our ignorance, he proceeded to school us in the 4 C’s of diamond shopping: carat, cut, clarity, and color. He showed us two diamonds, both seemingly nice and shiny. But it was bewildering to find out that one diamond cost $1000 more than the other. The reason? The purity of the diamond. Details that the naked eye could not see made all the difference. When you look closely, you see the impurities, the discoloration, the nitty-gritty details that change the valuation of the diamonds.
In this final chapter of Peter’s letter, we see the reason why Peter has written his two letters to the church: I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder… The word sincere here is the same word we get the word pure, a word used to describe the kind of purity found even under the examination of sunlight. Because of the work of grace in our lives, God has gifted us with a pure faith.  However, this pure faith can become covered, distorted, and even complicated. As attested in other verses in the short letter, this church had faced persecution from outside the church as well as false teachers from within that led many astray. Oftentimes, trials and inaccurate teachings cause us to lose sight of the simple, pure gospel truth. It is this sincere mind that Peter seeks to stir up in the church so that their pure faith may not succumb to trials or false teachings. He does this by reminding them of all the things that have come to understand in the Lord. Peter reminds them of God’s promises that they already know at the core of their faith, the place of sincere mind. 
Who speaks these reminders in your life? In times of trial and tribulation, how are you reminded of God’s truth? The reality is that whether through personal devotion and prayer, through a friend or mentor, through worship or through preaching, we serve a God that is constantly speaking and reminding you of His promises. The question is, are we listening? 
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You still speak to us. Whether through scripture, prayer, or perhaps a friend, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we believe that You speak to us. Give us a heart and ears that are open to be reminded of the incredible truths that You have spoken to us—truths that provide peace and direction in this crazy world. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Mark 9

Lunch Break Study

Read John 14:25-27 (NIV): “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Questions to Consider

1. Take a moment to skim through the rest of this passage. What is the context of this passage?
2. What is one of the primary functions of the Holy Spirit in our lives? What is the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives?
3. How can you avail yourself more to the reminding of the Holy Spirit throughout your life?

Notes

1. This passage falls in the middle of Jesus’ final night with the disciples. He is preparing a group of followers who still have not realized what is to come. But before He leaves them, He promises that though He is not going to be with them anymore, He will send the Helper, the Holy Spirit.
2. The primary function described in this passage is that the Holy Spirit will teach and bring to remembrance all that Jesus has spoken to us. The result of this is a kind of peace that the world cannot offer.
3. Personal response.

Evening Reflection

In what ways has God spoken to you today? Think back about the ways He spoke to you. What did He use? Who did He use? How did you notice these things? As you end your day, reflect upon these things; let us give thanks for the ways that God reminds us of His truth. Finish your time by praying for His grace to be sensitive and attentive to these reminders.