2 Peter 3:14 "Waiting With Purpose"

Introduction

2 Peter 3:14 is without a doubt contextually anchored in the eternal perspective of a new heavens and a new earth in which absolute righteousness dwells.

Remember Christian this world is passing away and there is a new one on the horizon of eternity coming.

This is what we as Christians are waiting for but don’t let that be a reason for you to think that there is nothing to do but to live life and wait around until Jesus comes.

The Christian has a purpose to live out while we wait. Certainly we have eternity in mind but there is a practical objective that we should be living out as we wait for the return of Christ.

Peter focuses in on 2 objectives in particular in verse 14. Look back at your text:

I. Diligent for Holiness (14a).

14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish

The term “diligent” here in verse 14 denotes the idea of being zealous or to proceed quickly toward a certain end or goal (BAGD).

In this case the end goal is in the direction of being without spot or blemish.

Both terms are similar in meaning. They are referring to the believer’s pursuit of sanctification in the Christian life.

Peter is not suggesting merely a possible option for the Christian life but it is an apostolic command that he is issuing for the believer to strive to live out.

Christian the modern day version of Christianity believes too often that life in grace means that sanctification is not that important.

It is treated like it is optional for the Christian life.

Kind of like when you go down to the car dealership to purchase a new car.

You find the car you want with the standard features but then you may selectively pick out the options you want on it according to your taste and liking.

I once thought that heated seats were ridiculous but the older I get and in cold weather like this I think they they should be a standard feature to have on your car.

Christian, the pursuit of sanctification is a standard feature of the true biblical faith. Oh I know all to well that such an idea doesn’t fit with the cultural norm of licentiousness.

Licentious behavior is celebrated in our day and the church in an attempt to be culturally relevant has redefined what Christianity really is in order to accommodate the culture.

Turning from sin has become an option instead of a standard feature.

Some believe that the Old Testament is where all the stuff about turning from sin is found in the Bible.

But Christian the New Testament is full of imperative commands in line with repentance from sin and the pursuit of sanctification in holiness.

The imperative of repent and be baptized is in keeping with gospel proclamation. Repentance and Baptism are not the means of our justification before God, faith alone is, but they are the by-product of it.

Being diligent in the pursuit of holiness is the manifestation of the glory of the gospel having already done its work in us.

This is the radiance of the glory of the gospel in the life of the true believer. What better thing can we do in this Christian life than to show forth the glory of God revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ while we are waiting for His return.

Our mindset can be that we are just often so tired that we don’t want to deal with the conflicting nature of sanctification in our lives.

Sanctification can seem too much like work and guilt and shame that at times accompanies it can be perceived as discouraging in the Christian life.

We think there can be nothing peaceful about sanctification.

Yet Peter doesn’t seem to think that the pursuit of holiness cancels out peace in our lives look again at our text at the end of verse 14:

II. Resting at Peace (14b).

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

Now, how in the world can he say that? I mean sanctification is usually turning my life upside down and sometimes it can be brutal to the point of tears.

The reason for that is because we usually are prone to think of sanctification on the horizontal plain of life. What I mean by that is we think of the Christian life on the plain of our human experience.

The people Peter is writing to had it bad on the experiential plain of their existence. They lost nearly everything they had in life.

It would seem that such a statement would be tantamount to a heartless mockery being said to people in such turmoil. “Be at peace”

But Peter is not talking about worldly peace. Peter is talking about a different kind of peace.

Remember the words of our Lord in John 14:27: 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

The Lord Jesus says this in the context of telling His disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The peace that Peter is talking about is the peace that we have knowing that God is at work on our behalf and that we are upheld by His sovereign grace.

We know this because of what the Bible says but also because we can see Him at work sanctifying us in that grace.

John MacArthur says: “The World’s peace is relative and fleeting because it is grounded in circumstances. God’s peace is absolute and eternal because it is grounded in His grace.”

We are not alone in this world but His presence is with us and His covenant fidelity will not only sanctify us nut it will bring us safely home to Him. This is not a horizontal plain but a vertical covenant connection established by grace.

This perspective helps us see the critical nature of sanctification as we live in this world. His transforming power working in us reminds us of what the true priority really is in this life.

The reality of faith and the active awareness of His presence with His power transforming us is what causes us to be at peace regardless of what storm we find ourselves in.

Sanctification reminds us that God is at work.

Conclusion: The household chore of laundry in the Revlett household is the most dreaded of them all.

Everyone loves wearing clean clothes but we don’t like the laundry work detail.

If we let it go it doesn’t take long for it to pile up when you got 6 people in the house.

Maybe your house is like that too. If we just let it go it wouldn’t take long before the pile gets high and your clothes will start to smell.

We all know that. We all know that laundry is part of life and it is something that we all accept that has to be done. That is why as a Father I know we need a washer in the house.

Christian is is just like sanctification in the Christian life. It is part of what it means to live as a Christian.

Law has a way of exposing the dirt while the gospel confronts the reality of our need for the grace of God.

As an unbeliever it confronts your need for a savior before God that you might believe the gospel for salvation.

As a believer it confronts our need for continual sanctification in our life as covenant children. To keep the pile down and the diligent pursuit of holiness as our passion. The Father has provided a washer.

And He reveals it to us in His work on our behalf and this should bring a sense of security in our faith as we wait for the return of Christ.

This table reminds us of God’s provision of grace to our lives. Scripture calls us to examine ourselves before we partake. I Cor. 11:27-31

Let’s Pray!