2 Peter

Chapter 1

1. I, Simon Peter full of faith
Am asking for God's peace and grace
To multiply itself to you
As you your lives in Him pursue.

3. He's given us all things of life
With godliness to ward off strife.

4. His promises are not in vain
If we His divine nature gain.

5. And so we need to supplement
Our faith with virtue heaven sent.
Add to it knowledge, self control
And steadfastness - make that our goal.
Affection, godliness and love
Will keep our hearts set firm above.

8. If these are ours and they abound
No lack of fruit can then be found.

9. Whoever lacks these things is blind
He has not left his sins behind.

10. Be zealous to confirm your call
And if you do you'll never fall.

11. An entrance rich will He provide
So we with Jesus can reside.

12. It is my duty to remind
You of the truth in Him you'll find

16. We did not follow fables rare -
Remember, I myself was there

17. And heard the voice come from above
With all the Father's heavenly love.
"This is my son with whom I'm pleased"
We on that mount that moment seized.

19. The prophecies are surer still
So pay attention and be still.
They're like a lamp within the dark
Until the morning star does spark
Revival in our very hearts
And his own nature it imparts.

Chapter 2

1. Beware false prophets and their greed
Do not their teachings ever heed
For they will lead you from the fold
And with licentiousness cajole.

4. He did not spare the ancient world
And into hell the sinners hurled
The angels too who sinned were doomed
To live below in satan's tomb.

5. But there were some he did preserve
Noah and Lot did not deserve
The fury of our God's great wrath
They did not ever mock nor scoff

9. The Lord knows how to save from trial
The ones on whom salvation smiles
But those who cause a righteous grudge
God in the end will surely judge.

10. Bold and wilful they revile
And in their passion they defile
Themselves in lust and wicked ways;
They count it pleasure all their days.

14. Accursed children, full of greed
Adulterous passions, sowing seeds
Of your destruction coming soon -
You can't escape the nether gloom.

19. You promise freedom, but you're slaves
You're in the power of Satan's knaves.

21. The righteous way has been revealed
And it will never be repealed
You never should have wandered from it
You're like a dog gone back to vomit.

Chapter 3

3. The scoffers come and mock and sneer
"When will our promised God appear?"
Our fathers said "His coming's near"
And lived their lives in reverent fear.
But He's not come, so why just wait?
If he is so perpetually late.

6. In ancient times he spoke by flood
But now he speaks through Jesus blood.
He's coming soon to speak with fire
Destroying all in righteous ire.

8. Do not ignore this fact, beloved
The Lord has not with slowness shoved
That day aside to never come.
Don't let your foolish hearts succumb
To tiredness or you'll miss the call
And into hell you'll surely fall.

9. The Lord repentance wants instead
So on the day when you are dead
You'll go to heaven and be with him
Instead of with the reaper grim.

11. What sort of persons ought we be
With holy, godly lives set free.

12. We're waiting for the day of God
When he to angels gives the nod
To pour his wrath upon the earth
To melt with fire its very girth

13. Then heavens new and earth as well
Will be the place where we can dwell
With righteousness our way of life
A time of calm - no wars, no strife.

14. Therefore beloved wait for these
Be zealous, spotless, and at peace.

17. Beware of those who bring in error
Stand firm, I say, on firma terra.

18. Grow in grace and in his strength
And to your days He will add length.
To Him be glory here and now
And he his mercy will bestow
Upon your life until the end -
He's walking with you as your friend.

This poem won first place for the February 2008 poetry contest