How to Live in Light of Christ's Return
Notes
Transcript
Today we will be concluding the series of 2 Peter by urging us to be diligent, blameless, and faithful in our walk with Christ, and to grow in grace and knowledge until He returns.
We are living in the last days, the days before the Lord Jesus Christ returns to judge the living and the dead, and to make all things new.
How should we live in these days?
How should we prepare for His coming?
What should be our attitude and our focus?
These are the questions that the apostle Peter addresses in his second letter, which we have been studying for the past few weeks.
Today, we come to the final verses of this letter, where Peter gives us his concluding exhortations and blessings.
Let us read 2 Peter 3:14-18
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,
as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
The main point of this passage, and of the whole letter, is this: We should live holy and peaceful lives in anticipation of the Lord's return and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Let us unpack this main point into three sub-points, and see how they apply to our lives today.
First, we should be diligent to be found spotless and blameless in His sight.
First, we should be diligent to be found spotless and blameless in His sight.
This is what Peter says in verse 14: "Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace."
What are these that we are waiting for?
They are the things that Peter has been talking about in the previous verses: the coming of the day of the Lord, the destruction of the heavens and the earth by fire, and the promise of the new heavens and the new earth, where righteousness dwells.
These are the things that we, as Christians, hope for and look forward to. These are the things that motivate us and inspire us to live for God's glory.
But how should we live while we wait for these things?
Peter says we should be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish.
These are terms that describe the purity and integrity of God's people.
They are used in the Old Testament to refer to the animals that were offered as sacrifices to God.
They had to be without defect or blemish, to show that they were acceptable to God.
They also point to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who was without sin or fault, and who gave himself up for us to redeem us from our sins.
The apostle Peter says in his first letter, 1 Peter 1:18-19
knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
To be found by him without spot or blemish means to be found by him in a state of holiness and righteousness, free from the stain and guilt of sin.
It means to be found by him as his faithful and obedient children, who reflect his character and his will.
It means to be found by him as his loyal and devoted servants, who do his work and his mission.
It means to be found by him as his beloved and cherished bride, who loves him and adores him.
How can we be found by him without spot or blemish?
It is not by our own efforts or merits, but by his grace and power.
It is by trusting in his blood that cleanses us from all sin.
It is by relying on his Spirit that sanctifies us and transforms us.
It is by following his word that guides us and instructs us.
It is by making every effort to set aside sin and live in obedience to God's will.
Peter says in his second chapter, 2 Peter 1:5-8
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My friends,
Let us examine ourselves and repent of any sin that hinders our fellowship with God.
Let us confess our sins and receive his forgiveness and cleansing.
Let us pursue holiness and righteousness in all that we do.
Let us be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish.
Second, we should be diligent to be found at peace with him.
Second, we should be diligent to be found at peace with him.
This is what Peter says in the second part of verse 14: "Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace."
What does it mean to be at peace with God?
It means to be reconciled to him through faith in Christ.
It means to have peace with God, as opposed to being at enmity with him or under his wrath.
It means to have peace from God, as opposed to being troubled or distressed by the world.
It means to have peace in God, as opposed to being restless or dissatisfied by ourselves.
How can we be found at peace with God?
It is not by our own works or achievements, but by his grace and mercy.
It is by believing in his Son, who died for our sins and rose again for our justification.
It is by accepting his gift of salvation, which he offers to us freely and generously.
It is by trusting in his promises, which he fulfills faithfully and perfectly.
It is by resting in his love, which he lavishes upon us abundantly and eternally.
The apostle Paul says in his letter to the Romans,
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Listen Church family,
Let us trust in God's grace and mercy, and not doubt his promises or his timing.
Let us remember that he is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Let us count the patience of our Lord as salvation, as Peter says in verse 15.
Let us rest in God's love and avoid anxiety and fear.
Let us be diligent to be found at peace with him.
Third, we should grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Third, we should grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This is what Peter says in verse 18: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
What does it mean to grow in grace and knowledge?
It means to grow in the experience and the understanding of who Jesus Christ is and what he has done for us.
It means to grow in the appreciation and the application of his grace and his truth in our lives.
It means to grow in the intimacy and the imitation of his person and his work in our hearts.
How can we grow in grace and knowledge?
It is not by our own wisdom or strength, but by his word and his Spirit.
It is by studying and obeying God's word, which reveals his character and his will.
It is by listening to and following his Spirit, which guides us and empowers us.
It is by seeking and enjoying his presence, which fills us and satisfies us.
Peter says in his first chapter,
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
My friends,
Let us devote ourselves to the Scriptures and to the fellowship of the saints.
Let us learn from the writings of Paul and the other apostles, which Peter acknowledges as inspired and authoritative, even though they are hard to understand at times.
Let us beware of the false teachers and the lawless people, who twist the Scriptures to their own destruction, and who try to lead us astray from the truth.
Let us take care that we are not carried away with their error and lose our own stability.
Let us grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This is the main point of this passage, and of the whole letter.
We should live holy and peaceful lives in anticipation of the Lord's return and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
This is how we can honor him and glorify him, both now and to the day of eternity.
This is how we can prepare for his coming and welcome him with joy and confidence.
This is how we can show our love and gratitude to him, who loved us and gave himself for us.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for your grace and your truth, which you have revealed to us in your word and in your Spirit.
We thank you for your patience and your mercy, which you have shown to and your resurrection.
We thank you for your coming and your promise, which you have assured us in your word and in your Spirit.
We ask you, Lord, to help us live holy and peaceful lives in anticipation of your return.
We ask you, Lord, to help us grow in the grace and knowledge of you.
We ask you, Lord, to receive all the glory and honor and praise, both now and to the day of eternity.
In Jesus’ Name - Amen