2 Peter 2:9-10
then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority.
Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,

When you hear certain words, they evoke emotions or images – some good and some bad. Words like self-assured or a relatively new word in our language, selfie, generate positive thoughts to most people in our world. I wonder though about a focus on self.

We are warned in the book of 2 Peter of false prophets and how to recognize them. Traits that seem to start with the rise of self. When we make ourselves more important, when we are so self-assured that we become the focus and not the cross and what it represents. It is so easy to see these traits in others, so easy to deflect the attention away from ourselves. I know I struggle. The battle is constant. If I attempt to rely on self, my self-righteousness steps forward and I lose self-control. Only when I stay focused on scripture and prayer, relying only on the Holy Spirit, is it possible to die to self.

Heavenly Father, I am weak. I am unable to be what you want by doing it by myself. I pray that You would rescue me constantly from temptation. I pray for the ever presence of the Holy Spirit in my mind and my thoughts. I pray this in Jesus’ name, the One who has made all of this possible. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,

Matthew 28:21-22
Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

What a blessing that my self righteousness is not what puts me in favor with God. What a blessing that as I stumble, trying my best not to sin, that I am still forgiven. What a blessing it is that God gives us second chances.

Peter was trying to understand the law, but he was also testing the limits to determine when he could give up on someone. Maybe Peter had a dispute with someone, who had sinned against him many times. Was there a limit under the law that allowed him to say, “I will forgive you no longer”.

What if God had a limit on the number of sins that we commit against Him? Would anyone survive?

Heavenly Father, thank you for second chances. Thank you that Your forgiveness is complete and without limits. Thank you Jesus for making that possible. I pray that You will give me the strength to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Forgive me for putting limits on others. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,