Living with Eternity in Mind

Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, aware of the reality of Your coming judgment. Open our minds and hearts to understand Your Word today. Help us to live with eternity in mind, striving for holiness and eagerly anticipating the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. May Your Spirit guide us and transform us as we reflect on these truths. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Good morning, Church. Today, we gather to reflect on a profound truth found in 2 Peter 3:10. The passage speaks of the day of the Lord, a day that will come suddenly and unexpectedly. It describes a time when the heavens will pass away with a great noise, the elements will melt with fervent heat, and the earth and all its works will be exposed or burned up. As we consider this verse, we are reminded of the importance of living with eternity in mind.

2 Peter 3:10 ESV

10 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.

2 Peter 3:11–12 ESV

11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 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!

2 Peter 3:13 ESV

13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

The First thing we need to consider when living with eternity in mind is this...

1. The Certainty of the Day of the Lord

v.10 “the Day of the Lord will come”

- Scriptural Evidence: The Bible consistently speaks about the day of the Lord as a future event. It is a day of judgment and revelation.

Isaiah 13:9 NKJV

9 Behold, the day of the Lord comes, Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, To lay the land desolate; And He will destroy its sinners from it.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 NKJV

2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

The phrase “Day of the Lord” appears 20 times in 19 verses.

15 times in the OT

5 times in the NT

Each time describing it as like a thief in the night… Coming of the Lord will be sudden and unexpected....

The Apostle Peter reminds us that the day of the Lord is certain. This event is not a matter of if, but when.

Consider the suddenness of a thief in the night. This imagery highlights the need for vigilance. Just as we would secure our homes against an unexpected thief, we must prepare our hearts and lives for the Lord's return. Listen to how the Gospel of Matthew puts it...

Matthew 24:42–44 NKJV

42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Are we living in a way that reflects the certainty of this coming day? Do our lives show a readiness for Christ's return?

Living with this anticipation shapes our priorities and decisions.

Secondly, Living with eternity in mind keeps us mindful of the nature of God’s Judgment...

2. The Nature of God's Judgment

God's judgment, as described in 2 Peter 3:10, serves both to destroy and to purify. The elements will melt with fervent heat, indicating a complete and thorough purification. This is not a mere surface cleansing but a total renewal

The imagery of fire indicates God's judgment that purifies and renews. Fire is a common symbol for God's refining work. In fact God Himself is described as an All Consuming Fire. (Deut. 4:24, Heb.12.29)

1 Corinthians 3:13 NKJV

13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

Malachi 3:2–3 NKJV

2 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the Lord An offering in righteousness.

The ESV translation of 2 Peter 3.10, emphasis "exposure” and reminds us that nothing is hidden from God's sight. All our actions, thoughts, and motives will be laid bare. This sobering truth should lead us to live transparently, confessing our sins and striving for integrity.)

Luke 12:2–3 NKJV

2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

1 Corinthians 3:13 NKJV

13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

1 Corinthians 4:5 NKJV

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

Fire is a powerful purifier. Just as gold is refined by fire, our faith and lives are purified through God's refining judgment. Are we allowing God's refining work in our lives now, or are we resisting His correction?

What will be exposed in our lives when this day comes? Are we living transparently before God and others, knowing that everything will one day be revealed?

Now the last point, In light of the coming day, we must live holy and godly lives.

3. Living Holy and Godly Lives

Peter makes a Call to Holiness: Peter's exhortation is clear: In light of the coming day, Peter exhorts believers to live holy and godly lives (2 Peter 3:11-12). Holiness is not just a suggestion but a necessary preparation for eternity.

Holiness involves setting ourselves apart for God's purposes. It means rejecting sinful behaviors and pursuing righteousness. God calls us to be holy as He is holy. This is a hard saying...

Living a life of holiness as a sinner who is not inherently holy in the eyes of the Lord is a common challenge for believers. However, the Bible provides guidance on how to pursue holiness through faith in Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to godly living. Here are some key steps and scripture references to help understand this process:

1. Recognize Our Sinfulness and Need for Salvation

Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

1 John 1:8-9: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

2. Accept Christ’s Sacrifice and Receive Justification

Romans 5:1: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

2 Corinthians 5:21: "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

3. Be Born Again and Renewed by the Holy Spirit

John 3:3: "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'"

Titus 3:5: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit."

4. Pursue Holiness Through the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:16-17: "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."

1 Peter 1:15-16: "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'"

5. Abide in Christ and Bear Fruit

John 15:4-5: "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

6. Continually Confess and Repent of Sin

1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

James 4:8: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

7. Live According to God’s Word

Psalm 119:9: "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word."

2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

8. Fellowship with Other Believers

Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

Holiness is not achieved by human effort alone but through the transformative work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. By recognizing our need for a Savior, accepting Christ’s atoning work, being renewed by the Holy Spirit, and living according to God’s Word, we can pursue holiness. Continual confession, repentance, and fellowship with other believers support our growth in godliness.

Holiness is a process of sanctification, where believers are gradually conformed to the image of Christ. We are called to live holy lives, not by our own strength, but by relying on God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our lives should reflect our hope in the new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells.

2 Peter 3:13 NKJV

13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Closing Remarks:

Living with eternity in mind transforms our perspective on life. It brings urgency to our mission, purity to our conduct, and hope to our hearts. The day of the Lord is coming, and it will come unexpectedly. Let us be found ready, living lives that honor God and reflect His holiness.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for the reminder of Your coming day. Help us to live with eternity in mind, striving for holiness and godliness. May we be found ready when Christ returns, our lives reflecting Your glory. Give us the courage to live transparently, the grace to pursue righteousness, and the urgency to share the gospel. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Benediction:

May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. Amen. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)