We don’t throw the word wholesome around much these days. It seems to decline in proportion to a culture hot in pursuit of individualism. Wholesome refers to a healthiness of mind, body and morals, a vigorous and robust life.

Peter pushed wholesome as he wrote: Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

Wholesome, at Peter wrote, refers to pure minds and dispositions. While I hope to gain wholesomeness by a healthy diet, exercise and clean living, Peter moved the concept deeper. How do I develop a wholesome mind (what I dwell upon) and a wholesome disposition (my inherent qualities of judgement and character)?

We hold his plan in our hands. Peter referred his readers back to the prophets of the Old Testament, the commands given by our Lord Jesus Christ, and the writings of the Apostles—what we call our Bibles.

Peter also pointed out that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. We have lots of those around, don’t we? You and I find plenty of opposition and ridicule to pursuing a wholesome life.

I’ve grown old enough to see the value of a wholesome life. Perceived as boring, it’s anything but, and I see plenty of people at the end of a wholesome life looking to eternity with curiosity and hope.

Never forget—the time you and I spend in the scriptures is worth it, and never give up—the value of wholesomeness multiplies over a lifetime.

2 Peter 3 in week forty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

I love Baby Ruth candy bars, so I’m glad to find out they are wholesome! I found this old ad at vintageadsandmags.com