Are You Ready?

Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.
-2 Peter 3:11-13 (MSG)

In this part of 2 Peter 3, Peter is addressing some of the false teachings of false teachers. In verse 4, Peter challenges their claim that Jesus isn't really returning, that it is some kind of hoax. He teaches them in verses 5-10 that God made the Heavens and the earth, and one day, he will destroy them by fire. This brings us to his words in verses 11-13. Peter is making a challenge to us, and one I'm hoping that you will win.

Verse 11 teaches us that we must live a holy life. In light of the return of Jesus, and the destruction by fire of all that is around us, Peter asks, "do you see how essential it is to love a holy life?" Well, do you? Too many times, I find myself worrying about circumstances, or yearning for something I want. My friends, this is not the holy life that I am to live. Look at verse 12, "Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival." Notice the words, "Daily, eager." The return of Jesus can happen any day. It may even occur while I'm writing this post. The Day of God is the day when the world will cease as we know it, and all of us will stand before God on the Judgement day. We must expect it daily. We must be eager for it.

Why be eager? Think about the daily struggles, the hatred in the world, and all the things that make living a holy life difficult. Those will all be gone. Look at verse 13. "We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness." While God is refining and creating the new heavens and new earth, we'll be looking toward Him and praising Him for this new creation. The old will be gone, once and for all. And all things will be new. Are you ready for it? Are you living a holy life? Are you living like today could be the day? Are you eager for it? Think About It.