Read with Me
2 Peter 3:11-14 (HCSB)
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat. But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell.
Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found at peace with Him without spot or blemish.
Listen with Me
Peter raises the issue of the ages: since everything will ultimately be destroyed by fire when Jesus returns, what kind of people shall we be?
If we follow the philosophies of humanism and materialism that say that this life is all that there is, and that when we die, we simply cease to exist, then a life in pursuit of wealth, pleasure, ease, and a focus on escape from pain and anything unpleasant makes absolute sense. And many today choose that path.
But if the truth is that our present lives are merely a time to learn more about God and to gain a place in His presence for forever, that changes everything. This contrast is made even more stark when we factor in the reality of an eternal hell, and that all who reject God, or who choose to follow their own ends instead of His, will end up there for all eternity.
That reality ultimately means that the life we are living right now is not a fluke or an accident. It is ultimately very meaningful, and even consequential. And it means that the way in which we choose to live our lives, and the decisions we make have far-reaching, even eternal consequences.
Knowing this, Peter comes up with the only possible conclusion. All of us must live our lives in the light of eternity, living holy and godly lives in relationship with God through faith in Jesus. We must live lives that will qualify us for an eternity in heaven after everything in the present world, the present universe, is laid waste by supernatural fire at the end of time.
Peter also realizes that this present universe will be succeeded by a new creation, a new heaven and a new and a new earth that will be inhabited by people who are also new creations through faith in Jesus (to Corinthians 5:17). And it is the hope of that new creation that will help us to keep our focus through all the trials and troubles that are part and parcel of our lives here and now.
Pray with Me
Father, so many people today are immersed in “small picture” thinking So preoccupied with what they themselves feel and think, and consumed with today. But even though Jesus did tell us not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34), He helped us to understand that living well today is only possible when we understand and live in the “big picture” of eternity and of Your provision for us (Matthew 6:33). It is only when we acknowledge that there is far more to life than this short physical existence, and that every action, every thought, every focus has eternal consequences, that we can correctly answer Peter’s question. We must live holy, godly lives, spotless, blameless, and at peace with You, if we want to live forever in Your presence instead of living separated from You in hell for all eternity. That’s not only a real choice, it is the only choice we can actually make. Thank you, Lord, for helping me to choose well, and for helping me to now live the life I should, so that I can inherit the eternity I want. Amen.