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(2 Peter 3:14 NLT) And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Growing in Grace.” For the purposes of this series we have walked through what I wanted to walk through in chapter one. The Apostle Peter closed out the chapter one by discussing the prophecy of scripture. In chapter two Peter discussed false teachers and their destruction. The Apostle opens chapter three with a reminder of the coming “The Day of the Lord.” Without question, Jesus will return, but Peter warns us of the scoffers and mockers who will deny his coming in the last days and he urges us to be ready to withstand their mockery. Peter then talks about the fact that Jesus will return like a thief in the night. Peter tells us of a day when “the heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” With all of this in mind the Apostle says, “And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. We must live like we know Jesus is coming back. You don’t hear much about this today, but the fact that people don’t talk about it does not make it any less the truth. Jesus is coming back and Peter urged us to live our lives with an awareness of His return. If you grow in grace you will be ready for our soon coming King.
2. How will you be living when Jesus comes back? The Apostle Peter said, “Make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.” Let me emphasize the word “found”. When Jesus returns what will you be doing? How will you be “found”? The Apostle urges us to grow in grace by growing in the knowledge of God. If we do, and if we live our lives focused on our divine assignment, empowered by the grace of God, we will be “found” doing what we we born to do.
3. You can living a life that is pleasing in God’s sight by His grace. The Apostle Peter said, “Make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.” The only way you are going to live a peaceful life in this earth, while living pure and blameless before God, is by His grace. The Old Testament already taught us that we cannot live perfect lives without God. There is no way to walk in holiness without the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. But when you accept and embrace God’s grace, and when you live your life led by the Holy Spirit, you can live a pure and blameless life. Not by your power, but by God’s grace.
4. Live your life with a sense of urgency. You don’t know when you are going to die (unless God reveals it to you), and you don’t know when Jesus is coming back again (because no man knows), so you must live your life with a sense of urgency. Grow in grace by growing in the knowledge of God, pursue your divine assignment with bulldog tenacity, and determine to make the most of the life you have been given. Not by your power, but by God’s grace.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for making plans for me before the world began. I know I am not a mistake, I know I was born for Your divine purpose, and I am determined to walk in the fulness of that purpose ‘till the day I die; with a determination to complete my divine assignment. I know tomorrow is not promised to me. I can be here today and gone today. I also know that Jesus is coming back again. No man knows the day, nor the hour. So I live my life with a sense of urgency, determined to make the most of the time I have. I overcome procrastination, laziness and anything that keeps me from focusing on Your best for my life. I avoid time wasters, idleness and inactivity. I get sufficient rest when I am supposed to be resting, but I work when I am supposed to be working. Not just working by my own strength, not simply trusting in the arm of the flesh, but working by Your grace and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. As I am led of the Holy Spirit daily I am able to live a peaceful life that is pure and blameless in Your sight and I live it with a sense of urgency. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
