Whimjest

For me, the question is easier answered than accomplished. What Peter describes, being a passionate person and a passionate follower of Jesus, is that our passion is to be for God and His will. The challenge lies in discerning whether our passion is for God or for something or someone else. Again, it is Christ Jesus' saving passion for us that keeps us in the faith and encourages us to seek Him, ask for His guidance, His forgiveness and to send the Holy Spirit into our lives to empower us to do what needs to be done. The first half of the Lord's Prayer becomes my guide for this way of life. The second half, my request for the provisions to live it.

It's not only the personal relationship with God, which is primary, but all the other relationships that grow out of this among the people whom He has called. It is in their faces that I see God's glory. I am also thinking of how people in charge take care of those who are in their charge. When done well, it truly reflects the grace and goodness of God. When it is done poorly and people are being exploited, this verse gives hope that it won't be forever and His goodness will see us through it. I find myself in the middle of this great history.

I am grateful for this study. I see these things to be true for me especially as I read of others having a similar experience. This relates well to the first question. We really are in this faith together with Peter and all the rest, of every time and place.

I don't see a discrepency in the text, perhaps in the various interpretations of the text there are discrepencies, but even so, I'd say it's a matter of a variety of perspectives and life experiences. It seems that the first question is, was Peter writing a letter for a specific time and place, or for the ages. I believe it was the first and that the church saw and valued his letter as ageless. I also believe that he was wrestling with the seeming delay of his Lord's return. If this is the case, he seems to be advancing the argument that all people in the Roman empire are in the same situation, regardless of how close they were historically to Jesus during his time among us on earth. Secondly, the faith is the Lord's to give and therefore equally precious because of the One who gives the gift. Thirdly, this gift is individually crafted for the believer, for each one of us is unique and precious in His sight. Thanks to all who make this site a reality. I enjoy being part of this virtual community. I belong to a real congregation that is great for me and my family. This virtual one allows me to think and type and read the thoughts of others and receive feedback as well. This doesn't always happen in the busy-ness of the local congregation. In Christ Jesus, Jim

I don't see a discrepency in the text, perhaps in the various interpretations of the text there are discrepencies, but even so, I'd say it's a matter of a variety of perspectives and life experiences. It seems that the first question is, was Peter writing a letter for a specific time and place, or for the ages. I believe it was the first and that the church saw and valued his letter as ageless. I also believe that he was wrestling with the seeming delay of his Lord's return. If this is the case, he seems to be advancing the argument that all people in the Roman empire are in the same situation, regardless of how close they were historically to Jesus during his time among us on earth. Secondly, the faith is the Lord's to give and therefore equally precious because of the One who gives the gift. Thirdly, this gift is individually crafted for the believer, for each one of us is unique and precious in His sight. Thanks to all who make this site a reality. I enjoy being part of this virtual community. I belong to a real congregation that is great for me and my family. This virtual one allows me to think and type and read the thoughts of others and receive feedback as well. This doesn't always happen in the busy-ness of the local congregation. In Christ Jesus, Jim