2 Peter 3:14-18
2 Peter 3:14 (NKJV) Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
As Peter comes to the close of his letter to believers in Jesus Christ (Christians), he gives a charge (some words of encouragement). He says,
2 Peter 3:17 (NKJV) You therefore, beloved, since you know [this] beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;
In verse 14, he says, “Be diligent,” and in verse 17, he says, “Do not fall from your steadfastness.” These two things are what are going to guide our thoughts today. We must be diligent and steadfast.
In verse 14, Peter starts with an assumption. He says, “…looking forward to these things…”
We must ask what we are looking forward to. To answer this question, we have to read verse 13.
2 Peter 3:13 (NKJV) Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
We look forward to new heavens and a new earth!
Before the new heavens and earth are revealed, the world and all its works will be destroyed by fire. After everything is made new, we will live in this newly made heaven and earth characterized by righteousness.
If we know that his world is passing away and we will soon be in a new heaven and earth, how are we not preparing?
In verse 14, Peter tells us to be diligent (work hard and be conscientious) and spells out what we are to work hard at. He tells us to be without spot and blameless.
We will want to look at what it means to be without spot and blameless, but first, we must consider why Peter tells us to be “found” by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
In verse 10, we find these words, “..the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.” If the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night,” people will not be expecting it. Scripture is clear that no one knows the day or hour that Jesus will return. So, if we are working in the garden when He comes, He will find us “working in the garden.”
Working in the garden is not a bad way to be found, but what if we have broken relationships? What if we are enslaved to a particular sin?
Jesus told a parable about being ready for His return.
Matthew 24:45-51 (NKJV) 45“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46“Blessed [is] that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47“Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48“But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49“and begins to beat [his] fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50“the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for [him] and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51“and will cut him in two and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
How will the Master find us?
Will He find us spotless? Spotless means unsoiled by the world.
When I was a boy, I had a dog named “Buddy.” Buddy was a stray mutt that showed up at our home one day, and we started hanging out together. Two things were bothersome about Buddy. He liked to roll in stuff cows left behind, and he had a thing for skunks. The cow stuff could easily be hosed off, but when he got close and comfortable with a skunk, there was no approaching him for a couple of weeks. It’s like clothes; some stains just don’t wash out.
Jesus died for us, and if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. By His blood, we are cleansed and made spotless, but do we love the world? Do we roll around in its pollution or get close and comfortable with it? How will He find us?
“Blameless” means “not subject to censure.”
If a person does not keep the rules, he is subject to censure. An unjust judge is subject to censure. An insubordinate soldier is subject to censure. In other words, such a person receives a harsh reprimand or criticism. Being spotless means avoiding filth, and being blameless means being subject to God, not being hard-hearted.
The Bible says to submit to each other, and the Scriptures also say to have the same mind as Jesus Christ, who willingly emptied Himself of His Divine rights and became obedient onto death. Are we willing to be poured out as Jesus was?
Peace overshadows or superintends being spotless and blameless. Looking back at the verse, we recall that Peter said, “…be diligent to be found by Him in peace.”
Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.” In addition, when He was preparing the disciples for His death, He said,
John 14:27 (NKJV) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jesus left us with the gift of peace, and the Bible promises if we take everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving, the peace of God that passes understanding will guard our hearts and minds.
We are in the last days. Even in the New Testament, in the book of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul says, “in these last days.” Some were even teaching that Jesus had already returned, so Paul wrote to the Thessalonians and said:
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 (NKJV) 1Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3Let no one deceive you by any means; for [that Day will not come] unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
Many false teachers say that Jesus has already returned or is not going to return. Paul gave information that helps us understand things that are yet to occur. Peter refers to these teachings of Paul when he says:
2 Peter 3:15-16 (NKJV) 15and consider [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable [people] twist to their own destruction, as [they do] also the rest of the Scriptures.
Like Paul, Peter knew that the Lord had not returned yet and encouraged us to consider the patience of our Lord as salvation. The longer Jesus waits to return; the more people will be saved.
With this thought, Peter returns to false teachers. He says Paul’s writings are Scripture. I have heard people say they do not like Paul’s writings, and even some say he was a false Apostle. Here is one piece of evidence that even Peter recognized Paul’s writings as Scripture.
Peter makes two critical points about Paul’s writings. First, they are hard to understand at times. For example, his teachings on the return of Christ require much study and a good grasp of the whole of Scripture, especially the Old Testament prophets. The truth is there for all who would study it, but this is not “low hanging fruit.” Secondly, “…untaught and unstable people twist Scriptures to their own destruction.”
The twisting of the Scriptures is one reason for the instruction for us to be diligent. The leading cause of twisting the Scriptures is being spotted by the world and hard of heart (not blameless). In addition to being diligent, Peter says to be careful not to fall from our steadfastness.
2 Peter 3:17 (NKJV) You therefore, beloved, since you know [this] beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;
Steadfastness requires a firm foundation. Since we know that false teachers are sure to come, we should be careful not to be led away by their error. The opposite of being led astray is how Peter finishes his letter. He says:
2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the glory both now and forever. Amen.
The answer to false teachers, perceiving the times, and remaining steadfast is to be continually growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus.
Growing in grace and knowledge requires time alone with Jesus. Jesus said:
Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV) 7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Do we ask for grace?
Do we seek the Scriptures for truth?
Do we pray for understanding?
Ask, Seek, Knock.
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