Dave Rich explores how believers can engage critics through godly living that demonstrates their identity in Christ. The passage reveals that Christians, though beloved by God and united in Christ, live as sojourners and exiles in a world that opposes them. By abstaining from fleshly lusts and maintaining excellent conduct among unbelievers, Christians adorn the gospel message. This approach to converting the critics involves internal warfare against sin while displaying observable righteousness that may lead to the salvation of those who initially slander believers as evildoers.
The process of converting the critics requires consistent Christian character that flows from union with Christ, ultimately glorifying God when former opponents respond positively to the gospel. Through this faithful witness, believers participate in converting the critics by demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel through their conduct.

Pastor Cornel Rasor addresses the biblical balance between anticipating Christ's imminent return and fulfilling daily responsibilities. This exposition of 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 demonstrates how believers should approach waiting for Christ's return. Paul corrected the Thessalonians who had become idle while waiting for Christ's return, teaching them to lavish love on fellow believers while maintaining productive lives. The passage reveals three essential elements: excelling in brotherly love, leading quiet lives focused on personal work, and behaving honorably toward outsiders. Christians must balance eschatological hope with practical service, working diligently while eagerly anticipating their Savior's return. This message emphasizes that waiting for Christ's return should inspire faithful service rather than idle speculation.

Pastor Jim Osman explores how Peter became an eyewitness to majesty during Christ's Transfiguration, using this divine encounter to refute false teachers who denied the second coming. In 2 Peter 1:16-18, the apostle defends Christ's return through personal eyewitness testimony and Old Testament prophetic revelation. The Transfiguration in Matthew 17 provided Peter, James, and John with a preview of Christ's kingdom glory. Therefore, when false teachers claimed Christ's return was merely "cleverly devised myths," Peter responded as eyewitnesses to majesty who personally witnessed the divine glory accompanying His second coming.

Furthermore, this eyewitness account encourages believers that they will share Christ's glory while warning unbelievers of coming judgment. The Christian faith rests not on fabricated stories but on reliable eyewitnesses to majesty who recorded what they experienced. Consequently, Peter's testimony provides unshakeable evidence that Christ will return in power and glory.

Pastor Jim Osman expounds on how Peter defends the doctrine of Christ's second coming by appealing to his experience as one of the eyewitnesses to majesty. When false teachers dismissed Christ's return as cleverly devised myths, Peter countered by referencing the transfiguration, where he, James, and John were eyewitnesses to majesty displayed on the holy mountain. This powerful event provided undeniable proof that Christ's parousia—his second coming in power and glory—is sure.

Peter argues that the apostles were not following fabricated fables but were genuine eyewitnesses to majesty who saw a preview of Christ's coming kingdom. The connection between denying Christ's return and moral compromise becomes clear as Peter demonstrates how false teachers' rejection of the second coming leads to licentious living. At the same time, believers who embrace this hope as eyewitnesses of majesty are motivated toward godliness and holy conduct.

In his final recorded words, the apostle Peter emphasizes the critical importance for believers to remember what you know about biblical truth. Throughout 2 Peter 1:12-15, Peter demonstrates that we are forgetful people who need constant reminders of eternal truths. Studies show that we forget 50-80% of what we hear within 24 hours, making it essential to remember what you know through regular reinforcement.

Being identified with Christ reveals the profound spiritual reality that water baptism symbolizes for believers. When Christians are identified with Christ, they participate in His death, burial, and resurrection through God's sovereign choice and the Spirit's transformative work. Those identified with Christ receive eternal blessings secured through Christ's substitutionary work on their behalf. Believers identified with Christ cannot continue living in sin because they have died to sin through their union with Christ. Being identified with Christ means God treats believers as if they personally accomplished Christ's righteous work, granting them His perfect righteousness and eternal life.

Jim Osman examines 2 Peter 1:10-11, revealing how believers can never stumble spiritually through diligent virtue cultivation. Moreover, spiritual diligence provides three essential blessings: salvation assurance, preservation from moral failure, and triumphant kingdom entrance. Additionally, pursuing moral excellence, knowledge, and self-control keeps Christians from becoming theological shipwrecks like false teachers. Therefore, those who never stumble spiritually through faithful obedience receive abundant entrance into Christ's eternal kingdom with varying degrees of reward.

Jim Osman continues his exposition of 2 Peter 1:10-11, explaining the believer’s assurance of election and calling. This passage highlights the spiritual diligence required to cultivate assurance of election by adding godly virtues to faith. Grounding his teaching in the doctrines of divine calling and sovereign grace, Pastor Jim confronts common misconceptions about election and encourages believers to pursue a life of holiness. The assurance of election is both a humbling and comforting truth for God’s people.