Be found at peace
This week's verses are on 2 Peter 3:14-15:
These verses are after Peter is talking about the end of the world. A lot of people see Christianity as something that concerns mostly heaven and not the current moment. They wait for the end of the world, or for their own death, as if life can't begin until this is over. In Peter's day, these sorts of people were vulnerable to sceptics messing with their faith by pointing out how the world hadn't ended yet.
Peter points out that it's good that the world hasn't ended yet, or that we haven't died and gone to heaven yet. More time alive means more time to get our affairs in order, and more time to help others with theirs. Our existence isn't a delay in the promised future, but the beginning of its fulfilment.
Peter says to strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into God's presence. That means to confess your sins to God and receive his forgiveness. Make peace with your mistakes. God's grace cleanses us. Striving means putting some time and effort into making sure we see it happen. Think about your prayer time and thought life, and ask yourself if this is something you seem to be striving for.
When we regard the patience of God as salvation, we realise that he's holding the door open just long enough for everyone who wants to get in to get in. He's the bus driver waiting for the desperate running man to catch up and get inside. If the world remains for another day, and we remain alive in it, maybe that day is long enough for us to make a difference in someone's life or to see breakthrough in our own.
Instead of trying to figure out what the future holds, be happy at what can be accomplished right now. We can experience the joy and peace of heaven right now, and we can be evidence of that joy and peace to those who have never tasted it. We wait for eternity but we don't wait idly. So strive to be found at peace, and be thankful there is still time left to wait.
Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence. And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him
These verses are after Peter is talking about the end of the world. A lot of people see Christianity as something that concerns mostly heaven and not the current moment. They wait for the end of the world, or for their own death, as if life can't begin until this is over. In Peter's day, these sorts of people were vulnerable to sceptics messing with their faith by pointing out how the world hadn't ended yet.
Peter points out that it's good that the world hasn't ended yet, or that we haven't died and gone to heaven yet. More time alive means more time to get our affairs in order, and more time to help others with theirs. Our existence isn't a delay in the promised future, but the beginning of its fulfilment.
Peter says to strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into God's presence. That means to confess your sins to God and receive his forgiveness. Make peace with your mistakes. God's grace cleanses us. Striving means putting some time and effort into making sure we see it happen. Think about your prayer time and thought life, and ask yourself if this is something you seem to be striving for.
When we regard the patience of God as salvation, we realise that he's holding the door open just long enough for everyone who wants to get in to get in. He's the bus driver waiting for the desperate running man to catch up and get inside. If the world remains for another day, and we remain alive in it, maybe that day is long enough for us to make a difference in someone's life or to see breakthrough in our own.
Instead of trying to figure out what the future holds, be happy at what can be accomplished right now. We can experience the joy and peace of heaven right now, and we can be evidence of that joy and peace to those who have never tasted it. We wait for eternity but we don't wait idly. So strive to be found at peace, and be thankful there is still time left to wait.
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