In the meantime

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; - 2 Peter 3v13-14

The Bible is clear that Jesus is coming back again. Peter focuses on the fact that eventual result of His return is going to be the destruction of all that we know now and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. Pretty heavy stuff. Heavy enough that we need some instructions about what we are to be doing in the meantime. The passage makes it clear that we are to be looking for the new heavens and the new earth. Good enough, but what do we do while we are looking?

While we are looking we are to ‘be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.’ While we are looking we cannot afford to just hang around coasting alone with the idea that it will all be ‘grand on the day.’

Note first that there is to be a diligence about our looking. This reminds me of Paul’s words to Timothy when he talked a zeal for good works. Peter’s three goals are for peace, spotlessness, and blamelessness.

Peace is not going to come by itself. Peace runs contrary to our nature. What we want often comes before what brings peace. The same is true for being spotless and blameless. If we are going to achieve peace, in our own lives and with others, it is going to require our diligent effort. If we are going to be spotless and blameless it is going to require our diligent effort.

We can’t afford to forget the need for diligence while looking.