13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:13-14
My, how the God-inspired words of Solomon ring true to this moment, "What will be has been, and what has been done will be done. There is nothing new under the sun." Eccles. 1:9
Like the people that Peter is talking to in his time, the people of our day are communicating more and more a lethargy towards the things of God; a haphazard lackluster approach toward their soul salvation.
But in this season of Advent, this season of expectation, we are reminded that Christ has come - as was promised ages before His coming. Christ dwelt among us, and established a standard by which we are to live and serve on this side of Zion. Christ died to satisfy our sin debt; paid a debt that He didn't owe, to satisfy a debt that we could not pay. A life lived perfectly, for lives drenched in sin. But not only that, Christ rose on the third day with all power to justify us - to declare us not guilty.
All that would be enough for most of us, but then Jesus assigned His disciples with a mission, and declared that the power and authority that was given Him as well as His continual presence is ours to fulfill it! He ascended to the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us. Through Christ we have access to the heavenly throne room, to the government of all creation! His Love is so awesome and so amazing that I can hardly continue sharing with you without taking a praise break! Hallelujah!!!
Wave after wave God keeps saying, "I love you! I want to be with you! I promise I'll be right there by your side, and I'll never leave you nor forsake you!" Next wave - God keeps His promise of a Comforter who would come and teach us and remind us of everything Christ taught us. God keeps His promise of providing an outpouring of His Spirit on all flesh, every kindred, every nation that would, but accept His marvelous gift. He thus empowers us to be holy as God is holy, to have power over sin and death, to live life victoriously, and as Christ said, "more abundantly." John 10:10
So we are reminded in this season and everyday that God IS a promise-keeper. His Word will not come back to Him void, but it will prosper in the thing for which He has sent it. Jesus said that He is coming back again. Peter reminds us in the 3rd chapter of 2 Peter that the length of time He has taken is only evidence of His patience for us to accept the gift of salvation, but He is coming back again. My grandmother, and I believe even my great-grandmother has said, "We're living in the last days!" Of course we were. But now even more it becomes more evident that we are living in the last of the last days.
And as I expect that Christ will really return any day now, I expect that He will find many carrying about without a care for His return; heaping every carnal indulgence to satisfy their sinful nature. Yet there will be a remnant who have heeded the signs, declarations, the very shaping of expectation for that blessed moment, who have consecrated there lives unto God and decided to submit to the empowerment and leading of the Holy Spirit to live lives of holiness to the glory of God and the good. of others. Fully anticipating the return of the King.
So as you reflect upon the Advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is your lifestyle reflecting one who is expecting Christ's return or rejecting every notion of it? Are your thoughts, attitudes, actions, and behavior consistent with one who has received an Amazing Love, and is awaiting His marvelous retun? If not, please know that it is not too late to take a position and make a decision to say yes to the King. Yes to His free (but not cheap) gift of salvation. Yes to the gift of the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in your life to live a holy - set apart life of service unto God for His purpose. Yes to the hope of His return, the peace of rest in His midst, and the joy of eternal relationship with an awesome God.
So in keeping with Christ's promise, we are looking forward with great expectation to a new heaven and a new earth, where the very King of Righteousness dwells. "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. 2 Peter 3:14
So what are you expecting?
My, how the God-inspired words of Solomon ring true to this moment, "What will be has been, and what has been done will be done. There is nothing new under the sun." Eccles. 1:9
Like the people that Peter is talking to in his time, the people of our day are communicating more and more a lethargy towards the things of God; a haphazard lackluster approach toward their soul salvation.
But in this season of Advent, this season of expectation, we are reminded that Christ has come - as was promised ages before His coming. Christ dwelt among us, and established a standard by which we are to live and serve on this side of Zion. Christ died to satisfy our sin debt; paid a debt that He didn't owe, to satisfy a debt that we could not pay. A life lived perfectly, for lives drenched in sin. But not only that, Christ rose on the third day with all power to justify us - to declare us not guilty.
All that would be enough for most of us, but then Jesus assigned His disciples with a mission, and declared that the power and authority that was given Him as well as His continual presence is ours to fulfill it! He ascended to the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us. Through Christ we have access to the heavenly throne room, to the government of all creation! His Love is so awesome and so amazing that I can hardly continue sharing with you without taking a praise break! Hallelujah!!!
Wave after wave God keeps saying, "I love you! I want to be with you! I promise I'll be right there by your side, and I'll never leave you nor forsake you!" Next wave - God keeps His promise of a Comforter who would come and teach us and remind us of everything Christ taught us. God keeps His promise of providing an outpouring of His Spirit on all flesh, every kindred, every nation that would, but accept His marvelous gift. He thus empowers us to be holy as God is holy, to have power over sin and death, to live life victoriously, and as Christ said, "more abundantly." John 10:10
So we are reminded in this season and everyday that God IS a promise-keeper. His Word will not come back to Him void, but it will prosper in the thing for which He has sent it. Jesus said that He is coming back again. Peter reminds us in the 3rd chapter of 2 Peter that the length of time He has taken is only evidence of His patience for us to accept the gift of salvation, but He is coming back again. My grandmother, and I believe even my great-grandmother has said, "We're living in the last days!" Of course we were. But now even more it becomes more evident that we are living in the last of the last days.
And as I expect that Christ will really return any day now, I expect that He will find many carrying about without a care for His return; heaping every carnal indulgence to satisfy their sinful nature. Yet there will be a remnant who have heeded the signs, declarations, the very shaping of expectation for that blessed moment, who have consecrated there lives unto God and decided to submit to the empowerment and leading of the Holy Spirit to live lives of holiness to the glory of God and the good. of others. Fully anticipating the return of the King.
So as you reflect upon the Advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is your lifestyle reflecting one who is expecting Christ's return or rejecting every notion of it? Are your thoughts, attitudes, actions, and behavior consistent with one who has received an Amazing Love, and is awaiting His marvelous retun? If not, please know that it is not too late to take a position and make a decision to say yes to the King. Yes to His free (but not cheap) gift of salvation. Yes to the gift of the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in your life to live a holy - set apart life of service unto God for His purpose. Yes to the hope of His return, the peace of rest in His midst, and the joy of eternal relationship with an awesome God.
So in keeping with Christ's promise, we are looking forward with great expectation to a new heaven and a new earth, where the very King of Righteousness dwells. "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. 2 Peter 3:14
So what are you expecting?
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