As we noted last week, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will return for us soon!
We who are unrighteous can be righteous and be accepted to heaven if we fully trust in Jesus Christ who is God who died for all our sins but rose from the dead! We will celebrate Communion in a little bit and this is the essence of doing so; as Christians waiting for Jesus Christ to take us to heaven, we are to affirm our belief in Jesus Christ and remember that He died for our sins once and for all.
If you have never believed and accepted Jesus Christ as your only God and Savior, now is the time to do it before it is too late. Jesus gives an opportunity for every person on earth to have a ticket to go to heaven but He will eventually judge all those who do not believe. And again as we noted from Scriptures, God’s judgment can happen at any moment!
Please take a moment now to quietly pray about your commitment to Jesus Christ...
Now, let’s continue to learn from God through the Apostle Peter. Open your Bibles to 2 Peter 3 and read along with me v10-18…..
Jesus made a promise to all His Believers. Jesus said in John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)
And as we noted last week, this is one of the Keys to Christian Living:
v13: Believers of Christ should look forward to the day we go to heaven!
And again as we wait for Jesus’ return,
v11: live holy and godly lives! For practical applications of this verse, review last week’s message.
Another key to Christian living is in v14…..make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Now, we know that this letter was written for Christians, who are already seen as righteous by God through Jesus Christ; so what does this verse mean?
The other English translations of this verse are a help; the NKJV, NASB, and NRSV are all similar: v14: Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish;
And so, as Christians wait for Jesus, in other words as Christians live their lives, they are to make every effort (to be diligent, to strive for) to be found by Jesus, who can show up at anytime, to be at peace, spotless, and without blemish.
The original Greek for peace, spotless, and without blemish refer to peace of mind, being unstained or undefiled, and without blame or fault. And so, Christians should be comfortable with Jesus showing up, with no guilt, no sin, and not to be blamed for public sin. The Christian life of love, forgiveness, peace, power, holiness and more, should be lived out every day!
In v15 we read, “Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation..” and then Peter cited the Apostle Paul’s writings. …..Many times the Apostle Paul wrote about God’s love and that love more and more. Because God is love, He is patient and long suffering and desires everyone to be saved. And so, to go along with v14,
Christians are to always grasp the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:18).
In v17, Peter reminds Christians again to be on guard of false teachers. Chapter 2 of 2 Peter details what to watch out for; but v17 has an additional warning…. A Christian can fall from their secure position. Again it is helpful to look at other English Translations.
NRSV states “You therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability.”
NKJV, NASB - You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
And so basically, v17 is not about losing a Christian’s salvation but a weakening of faith which stunts spiritual power.
And in v18, Christians are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. And so, from v17-18, instead of weakening faith, Christians are to have stronger faith in Jesus Christ. Let us note that a Christian’s faith is not “static”; it doesn’t just sit.
What can we apply to our lives today from this passage.
1. Always have a heart right with Jesus Christ!
Do not harbor any unconfessed sins! Constantly do a “Throne Check” (picture).
2. Everyday, say and finish the sentence, God loves me because _______________!
3. If a Christian’s faith is not static, we should ask ourselves, “Is my faith growing?” – If it is not growing, it is weakening!
And let us memorize 2 Peter 3:18b, To him be glory both now and forever! Amen!
And so,
4. Give glory to Jesus Christ in everything we do!
