By Nathan Harris, Ph. D.
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, University of Mobile
BE ENCOURAGED
2 Peter 3:8–18
Christ’s certain return (8–10)
Throughout 1 and 2 Peter, we have encountered words to exhort us and to spur us on in the faith. We’ve heard our call to holiness, we’ve been charged to be prepared for what is to come and we have especially come face-to-face with the reality of suffering, persecution and trials to come.
In all of this we find gospel hope that through the cross of Christ we can persevere in the faith, pressing on toward our hope — Christ’s return and eternal glory. And it’s here in 2 Peter that the certainty of Christ’s return becomes the rallying cry for Christians living in a broken world.
Our hope when facing the troubles of this world rests in the reality that Jesus will return one day. Christ will return, and all of God’s people said, “Amen!” Instead of getting stuck on when this will happen, Peter encourages his readers to be anchored in the truth of Christ’s return.
The Lord’s timing is not something we can fully comprehend, and any “delay” that we perceive in His return is more a sign of His great mercy and graciousness.
Instead of immediately returning, the Lord has not delayed His promise but desires to see all come to repentance, not wanting any to perish.
Here, Peter says that the Lord is patient in His return. It is an incredible thought to know that the Creator of all the universe is patient with His creation, wanting them to seek Him, repent of their sin and trust in Him.
God shows His great mercy through His patience, wanting all to know and love Him.
And at His return, all things will be made new.
Holy living (11–14)
It is since all things will be made new (“all these things are to be dissolved”) that Christians are to live in a specific manner.
Knowing that Christ’s return is imminent and that at His return the elements will burn and be dissolved and the earth and works on it will be disclosed, Christians should live committed to holiness and godliness.
The assurance of Christ’s future return fuels our holy living for today. As we wait on the Lord, we do so with hope and anticipation for the new heavens and the new earth where righteousness reigns. Peter encourages believers that waiting is active, not passive. We don’t wait as those who sit idle but we wait with obedience, honoring the Lord in all that we do, serving Him faithfully.
Stand firm (15–18)
Peter brings up God’s incredible patience again in the last few verses of this section. Here, instead of underscoring God’s grace and mercy in being patient about His return, Peter brings up God’s patience as a means to encourage believers to stand firm in the faith and reject false teachers.
Peter — echoing Paul’s teachings on Christ’s return — says that as we wait on the Lord, some may twist Scripture to their own destruction. Therefore, as those who love God and read His Word, we are to be on guard and led by the Word so that we are not led away in error.
And in our waiting each and every day, we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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