Growing spiritually that blesses others
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. 2 Peter 3:13-15
From the context of our passage, Peter was giving a warning about the bleak outcome of what will happen to the future. The old heaven and earth will be destroyed and this will usher in the new heaven and new earth. This is in contrast with what the false teachers were promoting. “They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created” (2 Peter 3:4). This teaching was promoted so that those who are holding on to the eschatological promise of new heaven and new earth will lose hope about God’s promise. The apostle Peter encouraged believers to trust God that He will be true to His promise. He reminded them that because of their relationship with God, they are secured and will experience strength so they will not be weakened by difficulties and trials. When confronted with difficulties in life, the challenge is how one can remain steadfast. Another challenge confronting a believer is how one can remain hopeful when it seemed popular to go along with the tide of culture. What matter is who the object of our worship and adoration. What occupies most of our time and attention is where our affection is. Your attitude of lack of dependence and trust in God will limit your perspective and will affect your ability to serve God. If your focus is placed on Christ and you believe His promises from His Word, then you will experience a peace that grows deeper within you. Don’t lose sight of what is important in your life as a child of God. So if you find yourself losing your own secured footing and desiring you were in a different predicament, realize that God’s plan is that you “grow in the grace and knowledge” of Him (2 Peter 3:18). Christian life is not static for it involves a process of growing. The challenges and difficulties you are going through are part of His plan for your life and He uses your experience so you can encourage others to grow as well. As you grow in your relationship with Him, the more you reflect who God is. “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman www.my-wbc.com
New Sermon upload on YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZnCs8dm38U
