2 PETER 3:8-14 – But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.”
THEME OF THE DAY: LIVE READY FOR THAT GREAT DAY. Pause with me for a moment to ponder this thought. Today might be the day we are face-to-face with the Lord Jesus. Then again, we might be face-to-face with the Lord Jesus not just today, but in the next second! And this is not just a thought to ponder but the emphasis of the Apostle Peter in today’s scripture – living in light of being in the Presence of the Lord Jesus at any moment.
Peter’s instruction points us to what such thinking and living should do in our lives. He makes a natural conclusion with these words – But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness (2 Peter 3:10-11). Thinking on Christ’s return and being before Him directs us to lives of holiness and godliness.
The Apostle John echoes this instruction in the third chapter of his first epistle – See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure (1 John 3:1-3). He acknowledges hoping and living in the light of our appearing before the Lord Jesus purifies or promotes holiness in the children of God. And it makes perfect sense! Not knowing when we will meet Jesus should make us live like it might be the very next second. Such a lifestyle weans us from the world, prioritizes our lives in the right direction, eternity, and conforms us more into the image of the One coming, our glorious Lord Jesus.
So, live ready for that great day. It might be today. It might be after you read this sentence.
PRAYER: “Father, may I keep my heart and eye toward heaven and live in light of Your Son’s return.”
QUOTE: “Living as if Jesus would come at any moment is the single most important focus in the Christian life.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim