Word@Work 2Pet30 - 2 Peter 3:13-14
Published: Fri, 09/18/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
LONGING FOR HOME
2 Peter 3:13-14 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. (NIV)
Everybody who travels away from home and loved ones experiences a recurrent thought, "I am so looking forward to going home!" And that should be every Christian's longing too. This world is not our real home (cf 1 Peter 1:1): here, we are travellers on the move, but one day we will go to be with our Father. Those who are true believers cannot have their eyes glued to this world with its shabby values and widespread corruption, when the glories of a brand new heaven and earth make everything else pale into insignificance.
One of the wonderful 'things' about our home is that it is also the home of righteousness - a place in which everything that is right and true and lovely has no competition from the shameful deceits of the world, flesh and devil. It will be an environment where God sees that everything is good, just like His original creation (cf Gen 1:31). But what a contrast from this world. The challenge is how to get ready for a perfect lifestyle, and do we really want it?
If that is our desire, then we need to start living as we intend to continue for all eternity. The words, 'spotless', blameless' and 'at peace with God' are huge absolutes, and until we get to heaven we will not attain perfection; but if that is what motivates the longing of our hearts, then we will put every effort into living that way. This is no place for the half-hearted, the casual, or the careless; such attitudes are not worthy of the Lord at all, nor do they show much evidence of any eagerness to meet the Lord. So Peter says, "make every effort" ... and he means just that. If we have the hope of eternal life then we must put every bit of our will, effort, skill and resources into being the sort of people that God has called us to be. The failures can be confessed and forgiven; but what will He say to those who are not even bothered to try?
Prayer: Perfect God. Help me to understand the importance of putting holy living right at the top of my personal agenda, and apply my heart and mind and soul and strength to pleasing You. May I see the value of learning to live the life of heaven, even though I fail and need your help to recover. May I never treat my eternal destiny with such casualness that I do not bother to try to live like Jesus. In His Name, Amen.
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Everybody who travels away from home and loved ones experiences a recurrent thought, "I am so looking forward to going home!" And that should be every Christian's longing too. This world is not our real home (cf 1 Peter 1:1): here, we are travellers on the move, but one day we will go to be with our Father. Those who are true believers cannot have their eyes glued to this world with its shabby values and widespread corruption, when the glories of a brand new heaven and earth make everything else pale into insignificance.
One of the wonderful 'things' about our home is that it is also the home of righteousness - a place in which everything that is right and true and lovely has no competition from the shameful deceits of the world, flesh and devil. It will be an environment where God sees that everything is good, just like His original creation (cf Gen 1:31). But what a contrast from this world. The challenge is how to get ready for a perfect lifestyle, and do we really want it?
If that is our desire, then we need to start living as we intend to continue for all eternity. The words, 'spotless', blameless' and 'at peace with God' are huge absolutes, and until we get to heaven we will not attain perfection; but if that is what motivates the longing of our hearts, then we will put every effort into living that way. This is no place for the half-hearted, the casual, or the careless; such attitudes are not worthy of the Lord at all, nor do they show much evidence of any eagerness to meet the Lord. So Peter says, "make every effort" ... and he means just that. If we have the hope of eternal life then we must put every bit of our will, effort, skill and resources into being the sort of people that God has called us to be. The failures can be confessed and forgiven; but what will He say to those who are not even bothered to try?
Prayer: Perfect God. Help me to understand the importance of putting holy living right at the top of my personal agenda, and apply my heart and mind and soul and strength to pleasing You. May I see the value of learning to live the life of heaven, even though I fail and need your help to recover. May I never treat my eternal destiny with such casualness that I do not bother to try to live like Jesus. In His Name, Amen.
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