In View of What Is to Come

In view of the new year that is to come, many will make resolutions to improve their lives is such areas as relationships, careers, etc. There is, however, a much more serious time that is to come—the end of this world! By this time, we better have our lives in order with God, for then it will be too late to make any resolutions. Peter instructs, “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men....But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:7, 10). In view of these things to come, Peter asks a very serious question, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be?” (2 Pet. 3:11). This question also has much relevance for us, especially at a time of year when many are focused on setting goals. Let us examine and apply Peter’s answer to the question of what kind of people we ought to be.

Be Diligent

Peter first answers the question, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things [the end of this world], be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Pet. 3:14). To “be diligent” means to strive earnestly, to make every effort (cf. 2 Pet. 1:5, 10; 2 Tim. 2:15, NKJ). Thus, Peter is telling his readers to make every effort to be found by Christ in a certain condition. To be sure, all of us will be found by Christ one day, whether we want to or not (Jn. 5:28-29; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11-15). If we truly look forward to an eternal home with God, we must make every effort to be found of Christ in the ways Peter mentions. First, we must be found of Him “in peace,” which suggests inner serenity. This peace is multiplied through the knowledge of God and His Son (2 Pet. 1:2 cf. 1 Jn. 2:3). We can be at peace knowing that our obedience to Jesus has made Him our Lord (cf. Ps. 23:2; Jn. 16:33). This peace is allowed to reign in our hearts by being called into the “one body,” by letting God’s word “dwell in” us richly, and by doing everything according to the authority of Christ (Col. 3:15-17). Second, we must make every effort to be found of Christ “without spot,” which means to be without blemish or defect, to be undefiled. This is the opposite of the false teachers, who are “spots” and “blemishes” (2 Pet. 2:13). The only way we can be “without spot” is to follow Christ (1 Pet. 1:19), because He “loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev. 1:5). Third, we must make every effort to be “blameless,” which basically means uncondemned. In order to be in this condition, we must be reconciled to God through Christ (Col. 1:21-22). Only He can make us “unblamable in holiness before God” (1 Thes. 3:13), and preserve us “blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes. 5:23). Are we doing all we can to be at peace with God, without spot, and blameless?

Accept the Teaching of Scripture

In view of what is to come, Peter also tells his readers to accept God’s truth, which, in this context, is that “the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” (2 Pet. 3:15a). Earlier, some scoffed at the idea that Christ is coming again because, according to them, since He has not come by now, He will never come (2 Pet. 3:3-4).  Peter points out the weaknesses of their theory by appealing to the flood of Noah’s day (2 Pet. 3:5-6), by showing that the same word of God that brought the flood will bring this earth to an end by fire (2 Pet. 3:7), and by demonstrating that God is not limited to time (2 Pet. 3:8). God waits because He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9)! The truth is that the longsuffering of God is opportunity for us to repent! Even Paul, through inspiration, wrote about God’s longsuffering (2 Pet. 3:15b cf. Rom. 2:4; 3:25). Even though there are some things Paul wrote that are hard to understand (2 Pet. 3:16), they must be accepted and applied to our lives. Peter’s appeal to Paul’s epistles shows us that his readers were familiar with Paul’s writings, and it also shows us that Peter did not hold a grudge against Paul for confronting Peter’s error (Gal. 2:11-14). In view of what is to come, do we accept what the Scriptures teach?

Beware of Falling

In view of what is to come, Peter cautions his readers, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness” (2 Pet. 3:17). Because there are those, as Peter mentions, who “wrest [twist, NKJ]” the Scriptures (2 Pet. 3:16b), we must be on guard. Christians must maintain unceasing vigilance (1 Pet. 5:8)! If this were the only verse that dealt with the subject, it would be enough for us to know that the “once saved, always saved” doctrine is false! If we truly look forward to an eternal home with God, we must beware of two pitfalls. First, we must not be led away with the error of the wicked. False teachers will do everything in their power to lure those who have just escaped the error of this world (2 Pet. 2:18). Jesus also warned, “Take heed lest any man deceive you” (Mk. 13:5). Second, we must not fall from our “own steadfastness” (secure position). Lust of the flesh threatens stability; succumbing to that lust destroys stability; thus, our falling away results (cf. Jas. 1:14-15). In view of what is to come, let us be on guard also, lest we lose our firm foothold in the truth!

Keep Growing in the Lord

Finally, in view of what is to come, Peter encourages his readers, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18). The only way to keep from falling is to keep growing! Growing in “grace” means that we grow in God’s favor, which is inseparable from growing in “knowledge” because it is only through the application of Biblical knowledge that we can be the people God wants (cf. 2 Pet. 1:5-11). As the new year begins, let us live our lives in view of that greater day to come. Let us make sure we are right with the Lord so that when He returns, we’ll be ready. Let us accept His word, be on guard against error, and grow in God’s favor!