“Cannot See Afar Off” 2 Peter 1:5-9 (2 Peter 1:5-9) READ (Verse 9, KJV), “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” The context deals with condition of spiritual myopia (nearsightedness) Peter speaks of heart-vision, not eyesight Such a heart is only concerned and influenced by the here and now, not eternity Such a “heart-vision” has some severe limitations!

Limitations of Spiritual Myopia Cannot see far Behind (4) (2 Peter 2:20; Eph. 2:1-3) (9) Forgets what it has escaped (4) The filth, corruption and defilement of the world (2 Peter 2:20), “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” Paul reminds the Ephesians of what they once were (Ephesians 2:1-3), “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” Remembering what we were without Christ helps us to appreciate what we have become in Christ Forgets "cleansing from his old sins" (9) Men need to retain the disposition that prompted their conversion Men need to remember the faith that led them to change in repentance Men need to remember the beginning of a new life in Christ and how they once confessed Christ as Lord Ii. Such Blindness Cannot See Far Ahead A. Avoids facing the reality of death a. Amazingly, one of the few certainties of life is its end (Heb. 9:27), and yet, is often the least prepared for B. Does not see ahead to the judgment (2 Cor.5:10) a. Another sure appointment (Acts 17:30) b. Paul implies that knowledge of judgment ought to affect our present manner of life and bring us to repentance (Acts 17:30,31) C. Does not consider the latter end a. A problem with Israel (Deut. 32:28,29) b. It is foolish for any man to ignore his eternal destiny Iii. Such Blindness Cannot See Far Within A. Such is the man who will not examine himself (2 Cor. 13:5) 1.Some have closed their eyes (Matt. 13:15) 2.Others look, but straightway for et what they see (Jas.1:24) 3.Such become like the Laodiceans (Rev.3:17-19) B. Making our calling and election sure (v.10) requires looking inward 1.When the Prodigal saw himself as he was, he came to himself (Lk. 15) 2.When the Psalmist thought on his ways, he turned to the Lord (Ps. 119:59) CONCLUSION AND APPLICATION 1.Have we forgotten what's in the past and in the future? Look within. (Note conclusion by reading 2 Peter 1:10-14)

Limitations of Spiritual Myopia Cannot see far Behind (4) (2 Peter 2:20; Eph. 2:1-3) (9) Cannot see far Ahead (Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10; Deut. 32) 1. Avoids facing the reality of death Amazingly, one of the few certainties of life is its end (Hebrews 9:27), “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” And yet, is often the least prepared for 2. Does not see ahead to the judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10), “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” Paul implies that knowledge of judgment ought to affect our present manner of life and bring us to repentance (Acts 17:30-31), “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." 3. Does not consider the latter end A problem with Israel (Deuteronomy 32:28-29), “For they are a nation void of counsel, nor is there any understanding in them. 29 Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” It is foolish for any man to ignore his eternal destiny Iii. Such Blindness Cannot See Far Within A. Such is the man who will not examine himself (2 Cor. 13:5) 1.Some have closed their eyes (Matt. 13:15) 2.Others look, but straightway for et what they see (Jas.1:24) 3.Such become like the Laodiceans (Rev.3:17-19) B. Making our calling and election sure (v.10) requires looking inward 1.When the Prodigal saw himself as he was, he came to himself (Lk. 15) 2.When the Psalmist thought on his ways, he turned to the Lord (Ps. 119:59) CONCLUSION AND APPLICATION 1.Have we forgotten what's in the past and in the future? Look within. (Note conclusion by reading 2 Peter 1:10-14)

Limitations of Spiritual Myopia Cannot see far Behind (4) (2 Peter 2:20; Eph. 2:1-3) (9) Cannot see far Ahead (Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10; Deut. 32) Cannot see far Within (2 Cor. 13:5) (10) (Psalm 119:59) Such is the man who will not examine himself (2 Corinthians 13:5), “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you are disqualified.” Some have closed their eyes (Matthew 13:15), [Jesus said, fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy] “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” Others look, but straightway forget what they see (James 1:24), [hearer, but not doer of word] “for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.” Such become like the Laodiceans (Revelation 3:17-19), “Because you say, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” Making our calling and election sure (10) requires looking inward When the Prodigal saw himself as he was, he came to himself (Lk. 15) When the Psalmist thought on his ways, he turned to the Lord (Psalm 119:59-60), “I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60 I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.”

Conclusion 2 Peter 1:10-14 Have we forgotten what's in the past and in the future? Look within! This is Peter’s message: (2 Peter 1:10-14), “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.”