Open the Bible UK Daily
3 minute daily Bible reflections from Open the Bible UK, authored by Colin Smith, read by Sue McLeish.
Life on Earth Is Very Short
With the Lord... a thousand years [are] as one day.
2 Peter 3:8
Do the math—Abraham was born on Monday. King David was born on Tuesday. Jesus was born on Wednesday. The middle ages flashed by yesterday, and our generation will have passed before this morning is over. Another 30 generations will have passed by tomorrow morning.
By God’s scale, 70 years pass by every 100 minutes. So, imagine a person who does not believe in or obey God. He is making his mark in the world, but God looks down and says, “He’ll be gone...
When Cynicism Hits Close to Home
Scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
2 Peter 3:3
Over the last century, we have seen evolutionism, which said “There is no Creator!” We are seeing the decline of postmodernism, which said “There is no Truth!” And now we’re seeing the rise of a new atheism, which says “There is no God!”
Perhaps you work with people who are cynical about your faith. Their language distresses you. Sometimes they despise the things of God that are precious to you. How are you going to handle that? It’s eas...
The Default Position of the Human Heart
Scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
2 Peter 3:3
This is what the first Christians experienced; it’s what we experience today; and it will be the experience of the church until Christ comes.
When the New Testament refers to the “last days,” it includes all the days between Jesus’ first and second coming (see Acts 2). So, don’t be surprised by antagonism toward the gospel. By nature we do not seek God, we do not love God, and we cannot please God.
Rejecting God’s Word...
A Warning and a Promise
The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgement.
2 Peter 2:9
There is a great promise here for the Christian. You love the Lord and you grieve over sins—in you and around you. God knows how to rescue you from trials. And He will rescue you. You can count on that.
We learn something else here: There is a punishment for sin that begins now. Sin brings the misery of its own consequences in this life. The way of th...
What Your Familiarity with the Gospel Is Doing to You
What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”
2 Peter 2:22
The dog goes back and sniffs around. It is intrigued; it loves the vomit. The pig goes back and wallows in the mud. Why? Pigs love mud. And the unrighteous love sin. That’s why they keep going back to it.
The washed pig looks better, but it goes back to the mud. The dog feels better (you always feel better after you throw...
A Hidden Mark of a Genuine Believer
Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard).
2 Peter 2:7-8
Here is one “hidden” mark of a genuine believer. It cannot be known for sure in others, but you can be sure of it in yourself.
Be careful not to make false judgements about others. Peter writes about those who deny the Lord (2:1). But Peter denied Him three times. So, if you were to say...
You Will Always Find Hypocrisy in the Church
There will be false teachers among you.
2 Peter 2:1
Peter’s plain statement reminds us that the church needs to be protected. Among the many wonderful people who come through the doors of the church each year, there will be some who would do the church more harm than good.
They may seem like the nicest of people, but they do not believe in the authority of the Bible or in the exclusivity of salvation in Christ. We must welcome such people, because they need Christ as much as we do, but we mu...
Four More Characteristics of False Teachers
There will be false teachers among you.
2 Peter 2:1
What is the difference between a genuine believer and a counterfeit believer? Here are four more characteristics that Peter gives us.
4. Different Character. (What kind of people are being produced?) The true believer pursues virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love (1:5-6). The counterfeit Christian is marked by arrogance and slander (2:10), greed and adultery (2:14), and they “despise authority” (2:10).
5. Different Appeal. (Why should you listen to the message?) God has spoken, and the true teacher appeals to this...
Three Characteristics of False Teachers
There will be false teachers among you.
2 Peter 2:1
Second Peter 1 describes genuine believers. Second Peter 2 describes counterfeit believers. Put these chapters side by side, and you will see the differences between them.
1. Different Source. (Where does the message come from?) Peter says, “We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:16). Then he says the false teachers exploit you “with false words” (2:3). The true teacher sources what he says from the Bible, the false teacher relies on his own creativi...
The Trouble with the Perfect Church
False prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.
2 Peter 2:1
There are no ifs, ands, or buts here. It’s a clear and definite statement. There were false prophets among the people (of Israel in the Old Testament). That’s a matter of history.
False prophets were a constant problem in the Old Testament, and those who falsely claimed to be prophets of God were to be stoned. The people rarely had the will to deal with them, and so they multiplied, causing disaster to the...
Don’t Miss the Boat
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.
2 Peter 1:12
Why would you get up tomorrow morning and read the Bible? It’s more than gathering information, it’s about grasping all that Jesus is for you, savouring all that He has done for you, and receiving all that He holds in His hand for you.
We miss the boat when we tell ourselves we know stuff that in biblical terms we don’t know. Like when a girl s...
Remembering in the Bible
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.
2 Peter 1:12
Being reminded of something you already know gets annoying fast. So, when Peter says, “I intend to always remind you of what you already know and are firmly established in,” it looks like a formula for frustration.
But “remembering” in the Bible is much more than being able to recall something that happened. When Peter describes a person who professes faith but never grows, he says that he has “for...
The Prophets Were “Carried Along”
No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:20-21
The best way to grasp what Peter is saying is through a story.
Paul is under arrest and he is being taken to Rome. Luke describes the journey: “A tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it a...
A Message from God
No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man.
2 Peter 1:20-21
Peter wants us to know how the Scripture came to be written. Where did the Old Testament come from?
Peter begins by telling us where the Scriptures did not come from: “No prophecy of Scripture…” (1:20). He is distinguishing “prophecy of Scripture” from all other prophecy.
If you lived in ancient Israel, you’d think twice about getting up and saying, “I have a message from God.” The penalty for being...
What the Apostles Saw
We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2 Peter 1:16
Peter is talking about the second coming of our Lord Jesus, when He will appear in power and glory, and all His people will be with Him.
Peter says, “This isn’t a cleverly invented myth. I know because I’ve seen His power and glory. I saw him transfigured.” Peter saw the glory of Jesus as one day you will see Him.
...Is the Bible a Reliable Guide to Knowing Jesus?
We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2 Peter 1:16
In Jesus Christ you will find everything you need for life. But if our knowledge of Jesus comes through the Bible, how do we know that it is reliable? Can we trust the Bible?
Wayne Grudem, in his Systematic Theology, identifies four things we need to know about the Bible. Peter touches on all of them here:
1. Authority—Scripture is...
How to Be an Effective and Fruitful Christian
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:8
If you pursue virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, you will be fruitful—whatever you try, wherever God calls you.
Peter wants to encourage us to pursue these things, and he tells us what will happen as we do so:
Your confidence in Christ will grow. Be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election (1:10). This cannot mean that pu...
A Wake-Up Call
Whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
2 Peter 1:9
If there isn’t a sense in your heart that “This is what I must pursue,” if there’s no correlation between Peter’s call and the pursuit of your life, there is something wrong with you. That’s what Peter is saying.
If you are a person who professes faith, but the goal of your life cannot be expressed in the pursuit of these things, something is desperately wrong. Peter uses t...
Four More Things to Add to Your Faith
Make every effort to supplement your... self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
2 Peter 1:5, 6-7
Here are four more virtues that Peter encourages us to actively pursue in the power of the Holy Spirit:
4. Steadfastness (Pressing on): The impulsive person gives up easily. He is pushed around by what he feels. When the impulsive person gets fed up, he wants to give up. You need to grow out of that. Where do you most feel like giving up today?
5. Godliness...
Add These Three Things to Your Faith
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control.
2 Peter 1:5–6
Peter’s emphasis is on our effort to actively pursue these in the power of the Holy Spirit: Make every effort to add these things to your faith. Go after them. Make them your own. God has given you power, now stretch yourself out in the pursuit of these things.
1. Virtue (Moral excellence): If you want to be a fruitful Christian, you need to grow in virtue or good...
If You Want to Grow in the Christian Life
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.
2 Peter 1:3
If God has provided everything we need for a godly life, why is it that some Christians never seem to grow? They never seem to have much joy or make any progress. Peter says that they’re “ineffective or unfruitful” in their knowledge of Christ (1:8). Why is that?
If you want to grow in the Christian life, there are certain things you must do, certain things to pursue in the power of the Spirit, and “if these qu...
The Kind of Effort It Takes to Live the Christian Life
For this very reason, make every effort…
2 Peter 1:5
Get this picture in your mind: An old Volkswagen Beetle sitting next to a Boeing 747 aeroplane. Now, imagine the Volkswagen pulling the 747! Believe it or not, a Volkswagen can actually do this. But what the power of a Volkswagen could never do is make the 747 actually fly!
You cannot live the Christian life apart from the power of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament talks about people who have the appearance of godliness, but they deny its power (2 Tim. 3:5). That’s like the Volkswagen pull...
If Your Faith Doesn’t Feel Big Enough
He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2 Peter 1:4
If you feel defeated today, take in this promise: By His power, and through Jesus Christ, God’s promise to you in the gospel is that you should escape the corruption caused by evil desires. Sin shall no longer be your master.
You will not escape the battle with evil desires. But if you ar...
How Faith Changes Your Relationship to Sin
He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2 Peter 1:4
Where does corruption come from? What would need to change in order for our world to become truly free, just, and loving? Some people will tell you that it comes from lack of education, lack of opportunity, or lack of resources.
But Peter says corruption in the world is caused by evil desires. Envy...
What God Promises to People of Faith
[By] his own glory and excellence… he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature.
2 Peter 1:3-4
What exactly does God promise to those who have faith? The first thing Peter mentions is that “you may become partakers of the divine nature.” What does that mean?
How could you partake or participate in the divine nature? Either you would somehow have to enter into God, or God would somehow have to enter into you.
The Bible nowher...
How Faith Is Formed in a Person
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.
2 Peter 1:3
What would make a 21st century person follow Jesus? There are certainly many answers, but the Bible sums up what causes a person to follow Jesus in two words—glory and excellence.
Jesus’ goodness is put on display by the sheer excellence of His life, the abundance of His grace and kindness. Jesus’ glory is the total impact of all that He is. Th...
The First Step of Faith
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours…
2 Peter 1:1
Faith is a gift to receive and a command to obey. “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). That’s a command! God calls us to do it.
Isn’t it strange that we say to an unbeliever, “Put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ”? How can an unbeliever put his or her faith in Jesus? If you’re an unbeliever, then by definition, you do not believe. You don’t have any faith to put in Jesus!
How then can anyon...
What It Means to Have Faith
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ… in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
2 Peter 1:1-2
Peter is writing to people of faith, telling them that in Jesus Christ they have everything they need for life. What does it mean to have faith?
Christian faith is faith in Jesus Christ
Peter affirms that Jesus is God. People who say that Jesus is never referred to as “God” in the Bible need to see th...
Everything You Need for Life
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.
2 Peter 1:3
Doesn’t that sound a bit ambitious, even pretentious?
What do you need for life? Wisdom for raising kids. Courage in the face of opposition. Peace under pressure. Faith in the face of tragedy. Comfort in loss. Love when you feel alone. Healing when you are wounded. Strength when you are overwhelmed.
The apostle Peter is making an extraordinary claim—in J...
What to Do When You Feel You’ve Messed Up
He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
2 Corinthians 5:15
What are you doing with the life God is giving to you? Perhaps you have thought, “Well, I’ve really messed up.”
You may think, “I have said one thing and done another. I have made commitments to the Lord, but I haven’t kept them. I have taught others, but I have not lived up to my own teaching. I have behaved like a fool. I see now...
Grace Prevails When We Humble Ourselves
But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart... so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
2 Chronicles 32:26
Notice how grace prevailed in this man’s life. When Hezekiah came under the discipline of God, he saw the pride of his heart, and he saw what a fool he had been.
“God has given me life! He brought me back from the point of death, and here I am, living for myself. What am I doing?”
Then it says, “The wrath of...
How God Deals with a Proud Heart
Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 32:25
God knows how to deal with a proud heart. Notice what happened when Hezekiah became proud and lived for himself: “Wrath came upon him.” Hezekiah came under the discipline of God. God loves His children too much to allow them to continue in sin.
What did this wrath look like? Chronicles tells us how God dealt with Hezekiah and how He will deal with us, if o...
When a Heart Becomes Proud
Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the LORD, and he answered him... But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud.
2 Chronicles 32:24–25
Why did Hezekiah not do what he said he would? God gives us the explanation of the extraordinary contradiction in this man’s life: “His heart was proud.”
Remember that Hezekiah is described as the best king Judah ever had—none like him before and none like him after (2 Kings 18:5). He was a true belie...
Walking Humbly vs. Living Selfishly
The son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys… to Hezekiah for he heard that he had been sick… And Hezekiah… showed them his treasure house.
Isaiah 39:1-2
Babylon was the rising superpower of the day, and Hezekiah wanted to impress the envoys. He couldn’t resist showing off his treasure.
The envoys tell their crown prince, “There is serious money in Jerusalem.” And the crown prince says, “One day that treasure will be ours.”
Isaiah the prophet warns Hezekiah, “The days are coming, when all that is in your house… shall be ca...
Life After a Crisis
I walk slowly all my years.
Isaiah 38:15
God healed Hezekiah and added 15 years to his life. Now here’s the question: What use did he make of those 15 years?
Hezekiah was quite clear on what he would do: “I walk slowly [humbly] all my years” (38:15). “Lord, if you give me another 15 years I will walk before you in humility.” What would that look like?
A humble person seeks to glorify God
“The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day” (38:19). “Lord, no one in the pit of destruction p...
One More Assurance in Times of Crisis
In love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.
Isaiah 38:17
When you face an unexpected crisis and your faith is tested, you can say, “I am loved” and “I am saved.” Here is the third thing you can say:
I am forgiven
“You have cast all my sins behind your back” (38:17). Here’s what God has done in love so that you would be saved from the pit.
Godly people know that their sins are many. The closer you...
Assurance of Faith in Times of Crisis
In love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.
Isaiah 38:17
When you face an unexpected crisis and your faith is tested, there are three things you can always say for sure. Here are the first two:
I am loved
“In love you have delivered my life” (38:17). Literally, “You loved me out of the pit.” Nothing is surer in life than the love of God for you. He has proved that forever by giving His only Son for you...
Faith Prays for What God Has Promised
Oh restore me to health and make me live!
Isaiah 38:16
Hezekiah responds to the promise of verse 5 with the prayer of verse 16. God said, “I will add fifteen years to your life” (38:5). Hezekiah prays, “Oh restore me to health and make me live!” (38:16).
Faith prays for what God has promised. “Lord, do what you have said! Heal me! Give me those 15 years!”
My pastor, Derek Prime, would often say, “Pray with an open Bible.” When you see what God has promised in His Word, the right response is to pray that you will kn...
Faith Is Strengthened by the Word of God
O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me to health and make me live!
Isaiah 38:16
It’s hard to be sure of the precise order of events in Hezekiah’s life, but here’s the most likely reconstruction:
Hezekiah became sick to the point of death (38:1)Despite being a godly man, he struggled with bitterness (38:15)Isaiah said, “Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover” (38:1)The king turned his face to the wall. He prayed, and he wept bi...How God Can Use a Test of Faith for Our Good
It was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction.
Isaiah 38:17
Notice what Hezekiah says here: “It was for my welfare that I had great bitterness.” How could God use this man’s bitterness for his good?
The answer is in verse 15: “I walk slowly all my years.” “Walk slowly” means “walk humbly.” Hezekiah is saying, “I used to think that my faith was strong, but when crisis came, I didn’t do so well. There was bitterness in my soul. But God used...
