October 15, 2023
Topic: WILL YOU BE READY?
Text: 2 Peter 3:3-18
Memory Verse: So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him (2 Peter 3:14)
For the past 14 days, we have been considering some examples of those little things, small foxes, the little leaven that can be so destructive to our ability to live a productive Christian life. There are so many that it will take a whole book to enumerate and analyze each of these small foxes. However, if we pay attention to our text today and install a compass within our hearts to please God and be found blameless in Him, then a substantial part of the battle against those small foxes will be won.
In this epistle, Peter reminds believers that a day is coming when everything that we see today, those things that seem to distract our focus, engage our desires and consume our passions will be consumed by the fire of God’s judgement. If we know this and we are looking forward to that new heaven and new earth, how are we preparing for it? The Lord’s return is a certainty that every believer should have. The only thing we are not certain of is when. The beloved Apostle John addresses this uncertainty by admonishing believers who have this hope to live a life of purity (1 John 3:3). We must live every day in the consciousness that today may be the day and be prepared to meet with Him, pure and blameless for it is for this that Jesus died. If we allow those foxes to take hold in our lives, they will frustrate the will of God in our lives and the purpose for which Jesus came, suffered and died (Ephesians 5:25-27; Titus 2:14).
How are you preparing for the day of the Lord? Are you making every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him? We must resolve, making every effort to get rid of those small foxes, the leaven of compromise and hypocrisy and set the compass of our hearts to living a life of holiness in thoughts, words and actions, lives that are pleasing to God in every way. May God help us. Amen!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that You did not lie when You said You will return to take me with You to a place You have prepared for me. I long for Your return and look forward to that new heaven and new earth. Help me to live every day, walking in purity and holiness, so that I will be ready for Your return and not be ashamed at Your appearing. Amen!