2 Peter 3:13-14 (AMP)
“But in accordance with His promise we expectantly await new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. So, beloved, since you are looking forward to these things, be diligent and make every effort to be found by Him [at His return] spotless and blameless, in peace [that is, inwardly calm with a sense of spiritual well-being and confidence, having lived a life of obedience to Him].“
Sometimes we think of God’s promises of renewal and restoration as only applying to us, but we are not God’s only creation. God promises renewal and restoration to all of His creation, and that means the heavens and the earth as well. When God’s promises are fulfilled, everything will be made new. There will be a new heaven and a new earth to go along with all of the new creations He has made of each and every one of us. Righteousness will dwell in this place, the way He intended it to from the beginning. It will be like living in Eden again.
We know this is God’s promise; therefore, we know that we can hold to that in faith. If we hold to a promise in faith, we need to live as if that promise is on the horizon. We need to live in such a way that if the new heaven and new earth appeared today, we would be able to fit in without any problem. That’s why Peter tells us to live righteously now. We can’t sit around waiting on some day to happen, paying no attention to the state of our lives or what God wants from us and think that some day it will all fall into place. How comfortable do you think you would be if you were living a life without righteousness and then suddenly found yourself in a place where only righteousness exists?
Probably not comfortable at all! That’s why we need to prepare ourselves to be in the constant righteous presence of God now. The more we are prepared now, the easier that transition will be when the time comes. That’s what gives us peace and confidence, knowing we are ready to be with the Lord. We haven’t wasted a single minute. We are already obeying. We are already living in freedom. We are already living in righteousness. We don’t have to wait for the new heaven and the new earth to do it!
Father, I thank you that all your promises are “yes” and “amen.” I thank you that we can hold firm to those promises, and we can live as if those promises are just around the corner. Help me not to waste a single minute of my day doing anything other than what you want me to do. I want to live a righteous life. I want to live a life of peace. I don’t want to give Satan one second of my life. I want my focus to be on you and on what you have in store for me. That way, when you return, I can stand before you in confidence, and I can comfortably take my place in your new heaven and new earth–a place where righteousness dwells. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Beautiful Mess 