Our scripture this morning is 2 Peter 3:11-16.
Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. 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. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.
While this passage sounds frightening, believers are promised to be saved from the destruction. Peter tells us “what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along” (v. 11-12). Christ came to show us the way, and when we are repentant, we can be saved.
We are called to “peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight” (v. 14). We also must share the joy we find in being children of the living God, telling others of His love. In this way, we fulfill our commission from Jesus to carry the Good News to the world.
Peter mentions Paul and his letters, and that some of his comments are hard to understand (v. 16). Even then believers had to think and evaluate what they heard and read, as we must now. Pray and ask for discernment, that we may truly understand God’s word as He has spoken it.
Loving Lord, we are grateful for the gift of scripture, given to us that we might be connected to You. Help us to continue to grow in our knowledge of Your kingdom, that we may share Your love with everyone. Amen.