By Pastor Rod Carver ThD, Guest Contributor

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. 2Pe 3:17-18 (NKJV)

These are Peter’s last words in what is called a general epistle.  These are also Peter’s last written words recorded in Scripture.  He wanted these words to be accessible to all who “obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2Pe 1:1) Relative to our time, believers then were outsiders with little voice in a powerful, perverted and abusive culture, the Roman Empire.  Then Peter gives us the baseline mandate of “grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

I felt fortunate to be at a mission’s conference in California when word of the Capitol riot came to me through my wife.  I was able to focus on the conference and all it taught me.  Since then I’ve been digesting what happened and asking what most pastors are, “How do I minister and lead my flock through this?”  The kneejerk reaction for politically engaged pastors is immediately more action, whip the people into motion, do something.  God then reminded of a principle I often teach, don’t make decisions out of fear, anger, frustration, selfishness or self-righteousness. Prioritize and make decisions based upon Biblical principle not mere pragmatics.

What I share in this essay, I shared with our fellowship this weekend.  If you do not know what to do, do the best thing you can do.  So when you figure out what to do you already have done the best thing you can.  Then moving forward, your actions are born out of the best thing and your foundation is firm and the actions you take are more likely right in the sight of God.

Let me explain.  The greatest thing a believer can do is to fellowship with God intimately.  What was lost in Eden was gained with the price of the cross.  Wake up earlier, worship, pray and read your Bible.  This simple discipline puts all things in perspective, renews your mind and gives you peace.  God is still in control, on the throne and His timetable is absolutely intact.   If we lose our character during this time, what happens to our witness and our voice? 

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1Pe 2:11-12

So as Romans 1:28-32 is being lived out before our eyes, figure out what to do while strengthening your relationship with God.  Then what you do is more likely to be carried out in the Spirit and not in the flesh.  God is guiding me on a pathway through this mess. Seek what He wants you to do by first being His child and then being His ambassador. 

Blessings to you, Pastor Rod

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