Heaven: When Faith Becomes SightНамуна

While We Wait

Peter wrote his second letter near the end of his life, looking forward to the life to come. Yet, he expressed concern about false teachers leading the faithful astray while we wait for that day. The crux of his message is that we can trust God’s Word, count on Christ’s return, and keep growing in knowledge and grace so we don’t get hoodwinked by naysayers and misleaders (2 Pet. 2:1-3).

In 2 Peter 3:11-14, Peter shows us how to wait while we look forward, and it’s all about our godliness, holiness, behavior, peacefulness, and posture concerning Christ’s return. It’s not an impatient waiting but an eager expectation. Peter’s words are helping us know what to expect and what to do while we eagerly wait for Christ’s return.

WHAT TO DO WHILE WE WAIT

1: Exercise Wisdom

According to 2 Peter 3:17, we all need to keep our guard up so we don’t fall for lies or fall away: “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unscrupulous people and lose your own firm commitment.”

Let’s have the humility to know we can be deceived, distracted, and derailed by all sorts of end times teaching, much of which can tempt us to feel certain about things the Bible is not definitive about.

2: Expect His Return

We do not know when Jesus will come back; we only know He will (Matt. 24:36; John 14:3).

Second Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (NIV).

Isn’t that just like our Father? He isn’t willing that any of us miss out on being with Him forever. If you don’t know Him, His grace is extending to you right now, giving you another opportunity to trust and receive Him. And if you do know Him, His grace is extending through you as you tell others how to know Him. As we wait, we are to be about the mission Christ has called us to in making disciples.

3: Elevate Godly Living

Our lives should be godly and holy.

In 2 Peter 3:14 in the NASB, it says we are to be diligent to be found spotless and blameless and at peace.

Think about this. I can’t drive. So, I can’t be found at my favorite coffee shop, sipping an extra hot, double shot, breve latte if I was not driven there, right?

Well, apply that to being spotless, blameless, and at peace. You can’t be found that way if you aren’t made that way to begin with. Just like I can’t get myself to a coffee shop to be found there, you can’t get yourself to blamelessness, spotlessness, and peacefulness unless the spotless Lamb, the Prince of peace, takes your blame and places you in His righteousness. You are found there because Jesus gets you there.

That is your spiritual position, which means it should also be your practice and pursuit. Yes, Jesus makes you spotless and blameless; so, pursue the life of righteousness Jesus died to give you. Practice what His Word says. Christ does the work, but through His Spirit, we get to pursue a life that reflects Him in our words and actions. That is how we live out our identity as His children—found in Him.

Second Peter 3:18 ends the chapter with this, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

It is by grace we are saved. It is grace that teaches us to say no to ungodliness, and it is grace that empowers us to live according to our heavenly citizenship. As John Newton so beautifully wrote: “twas grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” So may we all keep growing in grace like a blossoming blue flower springing from the fertile soil and green grass of Heaven!

Read 2 Peter 3 and thank Jesus for His grace as you look forward and wait expectantly for His return.

For more of this study by Jennifer Rothschild, visit lifeway.com/heaven.