“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.” – 2 Peter 3:13-14 (NLT)
I love the circular teaching aspect of Peter’s letters. He has consistently woven the same message into the entirety of his letters as a constant reminder of the importance of living pure and blameless lives. Of walking in righteousness. And how all of this is possible because we share the divine nature of our God.
Also threaded throughout his letters is the reminder of what happens to those who do not live in this way. Peter says that, “They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of His command, and He brought the earth out of the water and surrounded it with water.” – 2 Peter 3:6
And in the next verse he says, “And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgement, when ungodly people will be destroyed.” – 2 Peter 3:7
The ungodly are destroyed in the end. This is a truth that many have thrown out because it makes them uncomfortable or it offends them. But that is what the truth does. It is a sharp, double-edged sword. It separates joint and marrow (Hebrews 4:12). The truth is not meant to make us feel good. It is meant to correct our course and keep us on the straight and narrow. The Truth is how we live pure and blameless lives that walk in the divine nature of our Living God.
“You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to Him, both now and forever! Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18
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