Here the apostle exhorts the church to stedfastness in the faith. He warns the people of the potential danger of being infected by false teachers and preachers, of the dreadful punishment which shall be inflicted on them and their followers. The man of God here provides some insight and an awful description of gospel seducers and their deplorable end; falling into the hands of the living God.

Here again we learn the importance and power of effectual and sincere prayer. This prayer is for brother Gaius to regain his health and possessions that were wrongfully taken. The wisdom of this prayer is for us to follow the doctrine of Jesus Christ, no matter what and God will be with us. Our God is the restorer and repairer of all breaches, and restitution is one of his great qualities.

In this letter of commendation to a particular mother in the church for her demonstration of love and obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is praised for her nurturing her children in the same fashion in that they too, demonstrate love and compassion. As opposed to inciting division among the people. We are today admonished by the Lord to walk by the same rule in the same understanding of the gospel because of the spirit of the antichrist that is so prevalent today. There still are many that reject the Lord Jesus Christ and we are admonished to not have fellowship with such.

The apostle made it clear then, and it is clear to us now, or should be, that God gave his only begotten son, that demonstrated what God wants us to do. When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal savior, and follow the instruction of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we will please God, and he will bless us accordingly; even to living with him eternally.

The wisdom here is a reminder of Christ's final coming to judgement; and that He will appear and when he does the people won’t be ready, and I might say, even now by what we see and hear and are experiencing it is very rare to find readiness for the Lord Jesus Christ. As we know God destroyed the whole world by water, except for Noah and his family, but promised it will be dissolved by fire next time. The Apostle closes here inferring the need for holiness, and stedfastness in the faith; even as it should be now.

Here Peter exhorts and encourages the elders. He also admonishes the younger Christians to submit to their elders, and to yield with humility and patience to God, and to be sober, watchful, and stedfast in faith. To cast all their cares upon God; as we should today. Lastly he Prays for their growth and establishment in obedience to the Christian doctrine.

In this chapter we learn that God was using the Apostle to address the issues in the lives of the believers. Believers are charged by God to follow His plan of salvation, and be encouraged to not entangle themselves in the folly of non-believers. God’s controversy with the people is after all He has done the people are adhering to rudiments of the world. Let’s be careful that we don’t self-destruct.

God‘s inspiration for the writing of this excerpt of scripture is to remind us of the extent to which He went to affirm the redemption of, and salvation for, all of humanity. He gave his only begotten son, made in the form of a man, and not an angel. This was His wisdom for us all to know that He is not a respector of persons. Whosever will, let him come. Repentance for sin and belief in God through Jesus Christ by receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost assures every man; regardless of his origin that with the in dwelling of the Christ of God He has made it possible to come back home to Him; from whence Satan lost his place.

This story epitomizes true love. Paul praises the brethren for their love for him is thankful for how they constantly aided him. But now he is asking them to demonstrate that same love to brother Onesimus who has been born again now, and helping him. This is a story of love and trust, and more importantly, forgiveness. When one has been forgiven they should be restored because of the love God to the person violated, as if it never happened. God be with us all.

In this passage of scripture, we should learn that the elders in the church, that is the older men and women in the church, should be certain to teach and more particularly to demonstrate the gospel of Jesus Christ. Keep in mind, the old adage, “ways and actions speak louder than words“. The older Saints should know that it is their responsibility to make sure that the younger Saints understand and know how to demonstrate the gospel of Jesus Christ, and how we should treat one another, and not walk according to the tradition of men and the wisdom of the world.