READING: Ezekiel 35-37, 2 Peter 2-3
The Lord is coming back, and we await the day when God will prepare “new heavens and a new earth” (2 Pet 3:13). That day will occur in His timing, and in the meantime we are to:
- “make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace” (2 Pet 3:14) – we are to turn from any wrong in our lives, living in peace with Him
- “regard the patience of our Lord as salvation” (2 Pet 3:15) – we are to see any delay of Christ’s return as evidence of His patience so people will come to know the Lord
- “be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people” (2 Pet 3:17) – we should never let false teachings deceive us
- “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18) – as long as God gives us life and delays His coming, we must continue to grow.
Of these points, where do you most need to focus your attention as you seek to grow in Christ? As I evaluate my life today in light of God’s Word, I suspect I need to most focus on the second bullet point above – that is, remembering that every day God delays His coming is an opportunity for people to repent and believe. That truth means that every day is also an opportunity for me to share the gospel with others, knowing that Christ is patient but will indeed return some day. He has set the calendar for His return, and I must be faithful in proclaiming the good news until then. Fighting to be without blemish, standing on my guard against false teaching, and growing in the Lord must also be marked by my longing for others to get saved.
PRAYER: “God, help me to remember that Your patience in coming allows people to follow You. Use me as Your instrument.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezekiel 38:1-40:27, 1 John 1:1-2:11