2 Peter - Preparing for What’s Next
2 Peter 3:14-18
Jordan Byrd
O no! I didn’t study for this question?! Uh… Uh… Uh… I think it’s this [write]?! Have you had that feeling in school, whether grade school, high school, college, driver’s test, or job training? If you prepare well for a test, you rejoice when you get the answers right. You’re studying and preparation is validated. And you have clarity that you know the information. If you don’t prepare well, you are relieved when you get a test score back that just passes. You may wish you’d prepared better. It would have led to a more celebratory reaction to the score, than the mere feeling of relief – the feeling of just getting through.
I had a professor in college, who only gave written exams. So, every student had to study, prepare – ready – themselves to take his tests. If a student prepared well for his test, a passing grade was a rejoicing moment – it wa a feeling of gratitude to have passed, but also accompanied with a feeling of validation – that he or she actually learned something – that he or she was ready for the material that would come next. If a student didn’t prepare well for his test, a passing grade was just a relief – it was a feeling of gratitude to have passed, but also accompanied with a feeling of inadequacy – that he or she didn’t learn much – that he or she was behind for the material that would come next.
It’s possible to pass a test – to squeak by on an exam, yet still feel very different about the end result. One is a feeling of rejoicing. The other is a feeling of relief. One is a feeling of ecstasy. The other is a feeling of humility. While both scenarios reach a passing grade, the difference between the feeling of ecstasy and the feeling of humility is generally the preparation that preceded the test. Studying ahead of time – to approach the judgment of the test – is what readies a person to be confident during the test and what leads to rejoicing after the test. This example can help paint a picture for the overall content of 2 Peter, and specifically the conclusion of this letter that we encounter in 2 Peter 3:14-18.
Much of the letter is a contrast between 2 approaches to life. One approaches life by preparing for what happens when Jesus rights the world. The other approaches life by not preparing for what happens when Jesus rights the world. One prepares for what’s happening next. The other doesn’t. In 2 Peter 3:14 the audience of the letter is encouraged “to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with [God].” A simpler way to capture this idea is holiness – living according to God’s word – living like Jesus instructs and models.
Holiness, or living like Jesus, can often be distorted as an optional subscription tier in our personal theologies: Where we’re ok with affirming beliefs ABOUT God and Jesus, but actually LIVING LIKE GOD (godliness) seems burdensome or pointless, and not worth our investment. And according to God’s word in the letter of 2 Peter, this temptation arises when we don’t view the world through the timeline of God’s story. If we fall for the temptation that there is nothing better than what we experience in life, right now, then, we’ll be prone to live for now – trying to get the most out of life that we can. And with this perspective of life, holiness, or living like Jesus – is a hindrance: a hindrance to our selfish pursuits and pleasures – a hindrance to our immediate enjoyment in life.
Behind this distorted worldview are two theologies that often emerge: One, correctly denies that moral actions can earn entry into God’s future, BUT it overcorrects, leading one to just affirm God’s truth mentally and avoid living it out. The other rejects moral absolutes altogether, believing that if God is gracious, then it doesn’t matter what a person believes or how they live, because we’ll all end up in the same future. Both of these approaches leave room for God’s future to still be the truth, but downplay the importance of morality on earth now – living like Jesus on earth – now.
This is the same temptation the original audience of 2 Peter faced. They were faced with people distorting the truth of God that God had brought freedom by his grace through faith in Jesus, and that freedom was an open door to now do whatever one pleases. 2 Peter’s audience faced the same temptation to believe that living like Jesus – pursuing holiness — was burdensome, pointless, and not worth the investment.
But God’s word in 2 Peter gives a counter perspective. Overall, 2 Peter presents a view of the world where God is present and active – in creation and beyond space and time. 2 Peter reveals a world that is separated from the life of God, leading to its corruption and hopelessness. 2 Peter reveals a God who stepped into the mess of our world to show us how to life to the fullest – that God HAS…, IS…, and WILL make a way for all who entrust their life to him – to live in a world made right. 2 Peter presents a view of the world congruent with the rest of the Scriptures that the only SURE way to enter into a world made right is THROUGH Jesus.
In 2 Peter 3:18, Peter reminds his audience that any hope of living in the world made right by Jesus is IN the GRACE of JESUS. There is nothing any person could ever do morally to bring themselves into God’s future. It’s only in God’s grace.
The good news that 2 Peter 3:14-18 reminds us of is the PEACE and SECURITY we can have by entrusting our WHOLE life to Jesus – to bring us into the world he’s making right. By faithfully entrusting our lives to Jesus we can be readily confident that we will enter God’s future, where wrong is righted. This confidence is where God’s future intersects with holiness now. Holy living – making every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with God (as 2 Peter 3:14 says) – is what prepares, or readies us – now to rejoice in God’s presence later when he rights all wrongs and removes all of the corruption and temptation that keeps us apart from his full and abundant life.
2 Peter 3:14-18 invites us to prepare ourselves to rejoice when Jesus rights the world. 2 Peter 3:14-18 invites us to make ourselves ready to rejoice when Jesus renews the world. Holiness readies you to rejoice when Jesus renews the world.
We had a situation this past week where one of donuts that we got in memory of Julia’s late niece was ate, but no-one in our house owned-up to eating it. With our kids, the bigger overall issue we tried to communicate was that we wanted the culprit to just tell the truth to confess – to make the truth known, instead of hiding it, and distorting it.
In an ideal sense, being pure, spotless, blameless, or perfect in one’s actions is the Godly and Biblical aim. However, in a world impacted by sin, we understand the concept of being “blameless” in relation to God's redemption. In the example of the donut and my kids, we wanted our kids to understand that taking something that wasn’t theres was wrong, but grace was available, if they confessed the truth. Our grace in the situation, made it possible for redemption – to return to a blameless state. So too, when we own up to our moral failures with God, we are participating in becoming blameless again – becoming holy, as 1 John 1:9 describes, If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and PURIFY us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Vulnerably taking responsibility for our choices, and going to God who can make it right.
Becoming like God, the source of right and wrong is a call given all throughout Scripture: Leviticus 19:2 - Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy. Matthew 5:48 – Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 1 Peter 1:15-16 – But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. 1 John 3:3 – purify [yourselves], just as [God] is pure. God’s word calls us to pursue a godly life – to pursue a life like the God revealed in Jesus’ life. In a similar sense, that is what 2 Peter is calling for when it says to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with God. Peter is saying: “:Stay in close relationship with the source of right and wrong: God – through faith in Jesus and living like Jesus.” You won’t do things perfectly every time. But, that doesn’t change the standard of right and wrong to shoot for. As you entrust more and more of your life and choices to God, he will lead and guide and transform you to more and more consistently make the right choice. The more you move toward godliness, the more you can be transformed to live that way consistently. It’s not by your effort ALONE, but the synergy of your participation with God’s ability to make right what was wrong.
Stephen Curry is considered one of the greatest NBA, 3 point shooters of all time. His proficient 3 point shot has drastically changed the game of basketball, where all ages are trying to make long-range shots, like Steph Curry. It is reported that after a normal team practice, it’s not unusual for Curry by himself to shoot an additional 300-500 shots – all to hone his basketball shooting skills. While to many of us, Curry may seem to have the 3 point shot perfected. Curry knows there is always more room for him to grow. He grows his skills – to be more complete as a basketball player.
In a similar sense, this is how the pursuit of holiness is for followers of Jesus. Throughout the Bible, living like Jesus is something we’ll always have room to grow in, until He sets the world right. Philippians 1:6 captures this well, …being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to COMPLETION until the day of Christ Jesus. See also: James 1:4; Hebrews 10:14; Ephesians 4:13; Hebrews 12:2; and 1 John 3:2. 2 Peter 3:18 captures this same idea when it says, …grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And this is within the context of Peter looking forward to the day of Christ Jesus, like Philppians 1:6 references.
Think back to the test-taking scenario I presented earlier. Which student is more likely to be at peace entering the test. The one who prepared – the one who grew? Or the one who didn’t prepare – the one who did grow? The one who prepared and grew, because he or she readied themself for the day of testing.
Similarly, 2 Peter is pointing toward a day of testing. The day of the Lord, a time when God will purify anything that is not of his abundant and righteous life. Pursuing holiness now can be arduous because it’s difficult to see the full, complete picture of what godly living looks like in a world not yet made right. But, if we view living holy through the lens of anticipating God’s future in the present, holy living is training or preparation for the day when we’ll be able to completely live into the abundant life of God. Holiness prepares us now for the purifying fire of God’s righteousness when he rights the world. Holiness readies our life for the day of testing. And if we’re readied by holy living now, the day of testing will be a day of rejoicing for us. It will be a day of celebrating that the God is renewing the world. A day of validating that Jesus’ way was the right way to live all along. A day of clarity and being perfected to most fully live out the right way of God in eternity – completing what we could never do all on our own. It’s in this sense, that 2 Peter can describe the Lord’s patience as salvation. It’s a time for us to ready ourselves to live into the future when Jesus renews the world. It’s a time to anticipate the rejoicing we will feel because we’ve been readied for what’s next in God’s perfect future. But what about someone who doesn’t pursue holy living? This is one of the age-old questions. What about someone who doesn’t live for Jesus?
The past couple of weeks have been interesting with freezing temperatures and icy conditions. In November for my birthday, my family got me slip-on tracks for my boots – to help me walk on snow and ice. Last Saturday night, I chose to not wear them when I walked our dog. And half-way through our walk, I slipped on a sheet of snow-covered ice. I went straight to my back. When I encountered the ice, I had unstable footing. I could have chosen to wear the tracks for my shoes, and have stability. But I chose not to, and it left me without confidence to walk on ice. In a sense, that is what 2 Peter 3:17 is saying about our question: “What about someone who doesn’t live for Jesus?” God has only revealed one way to be in the world he makes right, and that’s by entrusting your life to Jesus. As Acts 4:11-12 says, Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” There is only one way to God’s future, and it’s being united to the death and resurrection of Jesus, as Paul describes in Romans 6:4-7, We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. For most of us here, we’ve been presented with this choice, and it’s up to us to unite to Jesus, or not. What this boils down to is that entrusting your life to Jesus is the most secure and stable way to face the day when God makes everything right. Without Jesus, like me without my boot tracks, you’re living on unsure footing. You’re unstable. You’re lacking stability as you approach the future. You’re lacking confidence in your readiness to enter into God’s renewed world.
We often get hung-up on what’s the minimum someone needs to do to be saved by Jesus. Throughout Scripture, we’re given an ideal. The conversions of the New Testament include: belief in Jesus as Lord, confession of sin, repentance (pursuing Jesus’ way), expressing this faith in baptism, and pursuit of holy living – living like Jesus. What happens if one of those dynamics is missing? We only have God’s word to go off of. We know that God is gracious: Exodus 34:6 – “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness….” Psalm 103:8 – “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” James 5:11 – “The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” We know that God is waiting to right the world, so that as many people as possible have the chance to entrust their life to Jesus: 2 Peter 3:9 says, The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Romans 10:13-15a says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?” The closest example we have of how God is gracious to someone who barely responded to faith in Jesus is the thief on the cross at Jesus’ crucifixion. Luke 23:42-43 – …he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” While this doesn’t explain every question we have, it does at least give a glimmer of hope that there is the possibility for the most basic clinging to the grace of Jesus that places someone with Jesus to enter into God’s future. But it’s not the IDEAL, or the most confident and secure position to enter into God’s future.
As mentioned earlier, for someone who has readied themself – by pursuing holiness during their life, the day of God righting the world will be a day of rejoicing – a day to be anticipated. For someone like the thief on the cross, who does not appear to have readied himself much who did not make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with God until his final breaths – it’s more likely that he on the day God rights the world will have the feeling of reverent relief – relief that he barely entered into God’s renewed world. The feeling of reverent humility that most of his life on earth was not readied for rejoicing on this day. Both responses are reliant on Jesus, but only one was ready (or prepared) for the future to come. Both responses endured the day of testing – the day of God’s refining fire to make everything right. But only one enters that time prepared in confidence, while the other enters unprepared by the skin of their teeth.
Holiness is worth the investment now, as it gives you confidence and peace to rejoice when God renews the world. We live in a cultural context that doesn’t value holiness, or living a moral life, like Jesus. But God’s word reminds us that it’s worth it. 2 Peter reminds us of the peace, confidence, and security we can have as we face death and the day of the Lord, when he rights all that’s wrong. 2 Peter reminds us that holiness readies us for the future by living the way of God’s future now; and living with joyful anticipation of the day when holiness won’t be arduous, but will be the normal and good way of life each and every day of God’s renewed world. Holiness readies you to rejoice when Jesus renews the world.
How ready are you to enter God’s renewed world? Have you forgotten about Jesus and his way of life? God has given you the opportunity to know the surest way to enter God’s renewed world: by entrusting your life to Jesus. If you’d like to explore further how to entrust your life to Jesus, please find me or another trusted follower of Jesus, and we’d be glad to help you discern your next step of faith.
If you’ve already entrusted your life to Jesus – uniting your life to his through faith in baptism how would you evaluate your readiness to enter Jesus’ renewed world? Are you ready to rejoice when Jesus renews the world? Are you currently being tempted and lured away from God’s future to pursue worldly interests and pleasures? If so, God’s word invites you to repent repent from living apart from God. Maybe you intellectually believe, but your life doesn’t reflect Jesus – holiness. If so, repent – turn and start following Jesus and living like him. Are you prideful? Believing you don’t need God to change you to be like him – holiness. If that’s you, God’s word invites you to repent of your pride. Humble yourself before God, and seek the way of Jesus. Seek greater understanding from his Word – by meeting consistently with Jesus. Being vulnerable before God and others, to allow yourself to be shaped further into the way of Jesus – as we call each other toward the truth and hope of his way. Are you complacent? Be honest with God that you just haven’t made holiness a priority in your life. If that’s you, God’s word invites you to repent of your complacency and start making every effort – with the Spirit of God’s help – to pursue holiness – the way of Jesus.
How is God calling you to repent from the priorities of the world to pursue the way of Jesus – to pursue holiness? God wants to ready you to rejoice when he renews the world. He doesn’t want you to just be relieved that you enter his renewed world by the skin of your teeth. He wants you to anticipate that day with joy. Holiness readies you to rejoice when Jesus renews the world.