Pursue Holiness
Wait Patiently for Jesus’ Return
God's Grace and the Believer's Responsibility
2 Peter 3:11-18

Romans 8:19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Douglas Moo: “We must not study eschatology for its own sake or for the gratification of our curiosity. Christians bitten by the “eschatological bug” usually end up with vision problems – a tunnel vision in which all they see is “the last days.” We must never forget, as Peter makes clear in verse 11, that eschatology is to stimulate in believers a holy and godly lifestyle. In fact, you will find no passage in the New Testament on eschatology that does not have that kind of specific, practical focus.”

The Greek word translated Scriptures (2 Peter 3:16) is graphe, and it is found, according to the ESV Study Bible, 51 times in the NT. All but two references point to the OT. Only here and 1 Timothy 5:18, where Paul directly quotes Jesus from Luke 10:7, does graphe indicate that NT writings are on the same level as the OT Scriptures. This is huge! What we hold in our hands – the OT and NT together – is God’s Word to his people, the Bible.

1 Timothy 5:18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” (Deuteronomy 25:4) and “The laborer deserves his wages.” (Luke 10:7)

Deuteronomy 25:4 You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.

Luke 10:7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages.

Romans 5:20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

 Romans 3:8 Why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

 Application from 2 Peter 3:11-18

1. What we believe and how we think impact how we behave – commit to spending time in God’s Word for the rest of your life
2. Contemplating both the judgment and redemption that will occur when Jesus’ returns also influences the way we live – spend time every day thinking about Jesus’ Second Coming
3. As it shall be in eternity, so should it be now in our lives – determine to glorify God in your thoughts, words, and deeds