What Sort of Person Ought You Be?

Text: II Peter 3:11-18

The World Will End and Christ Will Return - II Peter 3:11-13

Seeing that this world isn’t meant to last, why are you putting so much emphasis on transient things? God promises a new heaven and earth (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22). It will be a spiritual home, not a physical one (I Corinthians 15:44, 46, 50). The old home – the old earth – will be gone (Revelation 21:1).

The new earth will be one in which righteous lives. There will be nothing unclean in it (Revelation 21:27). We then need to be holy and godly people. Instead of dreading the end, we should be eagerly looking forward to it and hoping it will come soon. Obviously, this does not describe the world since the fall of Jerusalem. Even the Bible tells us that this world will continue to have trouble while it exists (I Timothy 4:1; II Timothy 3:1-5). This is one of the passages that prove preterism to be wrong.

How Will Jesus Find You? - II Peter 3:14

Because we look forward to these things, we are diligent to be found by Christ to be in peace, without spot (Ephesians 5:27; I Timothy 6:14), and blameless (I Corinthians 1:8; I Thessalonians 3:13). (Contrast this to the false teachers in II Peter 2:13.) We cannot obtain these qualities by inaction. We have to put in our best effort and speed.

Regard the Continuance of the World as Salvation - II Peter 3:15-16

While we eagerly await the end of the world and being able to abide in heaven, we have to keep in mind that the world’s continued existence means opportunities for salvation – not just for ourselves but for others also. God is patient (II Peter 3:9), and we must be patient as well.

Peter mentions that Paul wrote about these things in his letters. He calls Paul “beloved,” which clearly indicates that Paul and Peter were not in opposition, despite Paul scolding Peter on one occasion (Galatians 2:14). Peter has respect for Paul. He also mentions that Paul was given wisdom – in other words, Peter verifies that Paul was inspired by God. Further, Peter classifies Paul’s writings as being a part of the Scriptures. This also means that Peter is familiar with Paul’s writings. He also assumes that those receiving his letter are also familiar with Paul’s writings.

What is disheartening is to read how many people believe Peter and Paul taught different messages. Consider the following:

I Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”	Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”
I Peter 1:21 “believers in God, who raised Him from the dead”	Romans 4:24 “those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead”
I Peter 2:1 “putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander”	Colossians 3:8 “put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech”
I Peter 2:13-14 “Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution”	Romans 13:1-4 “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities”
I Peter 3:1 “wives, be submissive to your own husbands”	Ephesians 5:22 “Wives, be subject to your own husbands”
I Peter 3:3-4 “Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God”	I Timothy 2:9-10 “Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness”
I Peter 5:1 “the glory that is to be revealed”	Romans 8:18 “the glory that is to be revealed”
I Peter 5:5 “all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another”	Ephesians 5:21 “be subject to one another”
I Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert”	I Thessalonians 5:6 “let us be alert and sober”
I Peter 5:14 “Greet one another with a kiss of love”	I Corinthians 16:20 “Greet one another with a holy kiss”

The passage that Peter might have had in mind when he said, “just as our beloved brother Paul ... wrote to you” might be I Thessalonians 5:1-11. In this passage, Paul discussed the return of Christ (I Thessalonians 5:2) and the denial of it (I Thessalonians 5:3). Paul then talks about being ready for Christ’s return (I Thessalonians 5:4-8) and concludes that God wants to save you and me (I Thessalonians 5:9).

Some of the things Paul writes are deep and difficult to understand. Unfortunately, unlearned people and unstable people try to use these more difficult teachings to launch their distortions of the Scriptures – not just Paul’s writings. Notice that Peter does not recommend avoiding Paul’s writings because they are hard nor does he tell his audience that they should let someone else interpret Paul’s writings for them. Yes, it takes more work in some areas to grasp what Paul was saying, but the effort to learn is good for any Christian.

For Discussion:

1. Why is it that being unlearned, untutored, or untaught makes a person prone to twist the teachings of the Scriptures?
2. Why is it that being unstable (not firmly fixed) makes a person prone to twist the teachings of the Scriptures? (Ephesians 4:14; Matthew 7:26-27; Romans 14:23)

Be on Guard Against False Teachers - II Peter 3:17

Since we have been warned about false teachers, Peter reminds us once again to be on guard. Don’t get carried away from the truth by people who live without principles (Galatians 2:13; 3:1). The Bible is the Christian’s bedrock, but if we stop following God’s teaching, we can fall from our steadfast position. God always keeps His promises, but it is up to each person to remain with God. Once saved, always saved, is not taught in the Bible.

Grow in Christ - II Peter 3:18

Grace refers to the fact that we have been given a gift that we did not earn -- salvation. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). But the fact that we have been given a gift does not imply that God doesn't expect anything from us. Receiving the gift involved our faith in Him. And further, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

One of the things expected of us by God is personal growth. Becoming a Christian isn't the end, it is the beginning. So while in grace, while saved, we are to grow. "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:10-11). We are to grow so that we are more firmly rooted in the salvation that was richly given to us.

Another aspect, that is related to growing in grace, is growing in what we know. "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:9-10). The word of God is the guidebook for our growth. Christians should never feel they have had enough of it or have learned all there is to know. "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious" (I Peter 2:2-3). Never be satisfied that you know enough.

The result is that God is glorified because it is from God we receive grace and it is from God that receive the teachings we need to learn. May God always be glorified by us. The phrase “to the day of eternity” is interesting because it gives a view that eternity is not measured by time. It is the day that never ends.