June 19, 2022 -- II Peter 3:11-14 -- Renewed focus on holiness

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
II Peter 3:11-14 ESV

Listening to a sermon by Richard Owen Roberts, I heard an interesting point related to holiness. Roberts is an elderly preacher, highly respected theological librarian and evangelist. He related that he’d always thought the older you get the more holy you would get. In fact, he noticed, youth are often infected with the sin of lust—a greed for more and more. If that sin is not conquered in youth, then at middle age, there is an unrestrained appetite for material wealth. As one ages, there is a great tendency to turn inwards and become very self-centred. There is a demand made by the elderly that other people pay attention to them and there is a lack of graciousness appended to such persistent requests. At every age and every stage of life there are unique challenges which must be conquered by the strength of the Spirit Who is living in the believers.

Note the command found at verse 14—be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish. We have been washed by the blood of the Lamb. We are His. What a glory is ours. Now, as those who are redeemed, we are called to holiness and peace. Fight against the sins which linger within you. It is holiness worth having, for the more you desire Jesus, the greater is our joy and peace in having Him in your thoughts, your prayers, your mind and heart. Cultivate this desire diligently. Confess what is sinful. Turn from the indulgent practices, at whatever age you are. Hold tightly to the promise given at the start of this letter “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him Who called us to His own glory and excellence” (II Peter 1:3). His strength is in you, live for Him.

Today is Sunday, delight in gathering with other believers and bring honour and glory to God, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Share your burdens and your joys in our holy faith. Savour the freedom you have in this land to meet with others who believe. Do not neglect meeting together, but join with others who are waiting for the glory of God to be revealed in the new heavens and new earth.

Faithful Father, Your sustaining grace and marvelous peace are given us through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Your rich salvation is guarded in us by the powerful presence of Your Spirit. Help us to hate our lingering sins and fight against the laziness of the flesh. As Peter wrote, let our faith be supplemented with virtue and virtue with knowledge and knowledge with self-control and self-control with godliness and godliness with brotherly affection and brotherly affection with love. As Peter wrote, such keep us from being ineffective or unfruitful in knowing Jesus Christ. Spirit of God, take off the blinders from our eyes and the soften our hard-hearts so that our great joy is living fully, pressing into the life given us in Christ our King to the honour and praise of the Father in heaven. Amen. 

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