Thursday in the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time

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.

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor

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