Peter’s Final Reminder

Have you ever noticed how waiting brings out the worst in us? Whether it’s sitting in traffic, standing in line at the grocery store, or waiting for test results from the doctor – our patience wears thin pretty quickly. But what about waiting for something we can’t see yet? What about waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled?

In 2 Peter 3:14-15, the apostle gives us a masterclass in how believers should wait for the new heavens and new earth that God has promised. And honestly, I think this is just as relevant for us today as it was for his original audience.

Be Diligent to Be Found Without Spot or Blemish

Peter tells us to “be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” Now, this isn’t a call to moral perfection – none of us would make it if that were the case. But it is a call to pursue godliness with intentionality.

Think about it this way: if you knew your boss was coming back to the office at any moment, wouldn’t you focus on the three priorities he gave you rather than waiting until the end of the week? That’s exactly what Peter is getting at here. Since we don’t know when the Lord is returning, we should be diligent about what we’re actually responsible for.

I’ve noticed in ministry that most people spend more time trying to control things they’re not responsible for instead of focusing on what they are responsible for. They want to micromanage the church, their neighbor’s choices, or their spouse’s decisions. But when the Lord returns, you’re going to give an account for how you stewarded your family, your time, your finances – not for how well you managed everyone else’s life.

The Peace That Comes from Right Relationship

When Peter talks about being found “at peace,” he’s pointing to something beautiful. Often when I’m discipling people who struggle with peace, there’s usually some sin they’ve stopped fighting and started coddling. And that lack of peace isn’t because God is mad at them – it’s because God loves them. He knows that as long as he allows them to coddle that sin, it’s damaging their relationship with him.

This morning, if you’re struggling with peace, ask the Holy Spirit to examine your heart. Is there something you’re holding onto? Some sin you’ve waved the white flag on and said, “Well, that’s all I can do”? The way to peace might be confession and repentance of that sin. Because this peace signifies being right with God.

Count God’s Patience as Salvation

Peter reminds us to “count the patience of our Lord as salvation.” The false teachers were mocking the idea of Christ’s return, saying, “If God was coming back, he’d surely be coming back for me by now!” They were looking negatively at God’s seeming slowness.

But here’s the thing, what looks like slowness is actually patience. Be thankful for his patience because it gives someone you love and care about the opportunity to repent and turn to him. It also gives you the opportunity every morning when you wake up to praise him for one more day to confess and repent of your sins.

God’s patience isn’t indifference, it’s grace. Every day we wake up is another gift of his mercy, another chance to grow in our relationship with him.

Living in Light of His Return

The beauty of waiting well isn’t just about enduring until something better comes along. It’s about recognizing that we have everything we need right now for life and godliness. We’re not waiting for God to give us more tools – we’re learning to use what he’s already provided.

As we wait for the new heavens and new earth, we can live with confidence, knowing that our peace doesn’t depend on our performance but on Christ’s finished work. We can pursue holiness not to earn God’s favor, but because we already have it.

How are you waiting? Are you focused on what God has called you to be responsible for, or are you trying to control things outside your jurisdiction? What might it look like for you to “count God’s patience as salvation” in your current circumstances?