2 Peter 3:11-13
So What Sort of People Ought We to Be?
It should be obvious by now that the Apostle’s chief concern in this letter is the return of the Lord and how that teaching should affect our lives. He has shown us that if one scoffs at and believes not this fundamental and incontrovertible doctrine of the faith, then one will lead a sinful life subject to his various passions and desires. The sinner will not do what is right unless he has the fear of coming judgment in his sight. In direct contrast, the person who believes this doctrine and looks forward to the day when our Lord comes will be compelled to live a life “of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God.” Peter sees no other conclusion to draw in light of our Lord’s return, nor does the Apostle John (1 John 3:2-3).
We may be taken aback by the idea that by holy living we can “hasten” the day of our Lord’s return. Of course, the Father cannot be forced to send His Son upon the bidding of someone else; however, we must not forget that God ordains future events based upon His work in our lives in this world. And God’s greatest work in our lives, after bringing us to saving faith, is to grow us through His grace into the image of His Son. God desires that we decrease while His Son’s image increases within us (John 3:30). And Apostle Paul writes, “This is the will of God: [our] sanctification.”
And it is God’s sanctifying work in our lives and in His Church which draws His Son closer to his return. Oh, yes; matters in the world will only grow worse. Throughout the New Testament, we read how, before Christ’s return, persecution shall increase and sin be unrestrained. Indeed, we are seeing this more and more in our own day. Moreover, there is prophesied in the last days a great falling within the Church, herself (2 Timothy 3:1-5). But even in the midst of all this wickedness, the light of faith shall shine brightly among God’s people who walk with God in the beauty of holiness—a beauty the world cannot endure.
And this is the sort God’s people should be in light of both our Lord’s coming and the destruction of the elements which shall make way for the redemption of the world. A new heaven and new earth shall rise up out of the old ashes and form the like of which we cannot even begin to imagine with our current feeble minds. But then shall our minds, hearts, and bodies be redeemed, and we shall finally do that which we were created for: To love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Yea! Come Lord Jesus.
