Christians, Live Expectantly

MEMORY VERSE: “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” —II Peter 3:13,14

II PETER 1:3-11

THE goal of every faithful follower of the Master is to prove worthy in this life of being brought forth from death in the first resurrection, to live and reign with Christ a thousand years. (Rev. 20:6) For that reason they do not set their affections on earthly things, but, as Paul expresses it, on “things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Col. 3:1,2) They truly live expectantly as indicated in the caption of our lesson.

We have been called “to glory and virtue,” and God has made every necessary provision to enable us to attain that to which we are called. Among these provisions are the Lord’s “exceeding great and precious promises.” It is through the mighty workings of these promises that we are made “partakers of the divine nature.” This is really the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives, for the promises of God were recorded in his Word by the inspirational power of the Holy Spirit.

Our faith is based upon these promises, and we are to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, temperance (self-control), patience, godliness, brotherly-kindness, and love. Failing in this, we would be barren and unfruitful “in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ:” We would also be “blind”; that is, lacking in spiritual vision, and would not be able to discern clearly those important elements in the plan of God that are “afar off”; that is, the fully established kingdom of Christ, our own share in it, and the blessings it will bring to all the families of the earth.

But if we do add to our faith the necessary qualities of Christian character we “shall never fall,” and this will mean that an “abundant entrance shall be ministered” unto us “into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” It is to rulership in this kingdom that we have been called, and if we “give diligence” we will make our “calling and election sure.”

II PETER 3:9-11

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,” Peter wrote. The underlying promise of all God’s promises is the one he made to Abraham when he said to him that through his seed all the families of the earth will be blessed. (Gen. 12:3) Paul explains that Christ, and those baptized into him, constitute this seed of blessing. (Gal. 3:8,16,27-29) An entire age is set apart in God’s plan for the preparation of this “Seed,” and then comes the Millennial Age during which the “Seed” will dispense the promised blessings: So we see, God is not “slack” concerning his promise, although it may seem so to “some men.”

Peter’s reference to the passing away of the present “heavens” and “earth” is highly symbolic. It has no reference to the literal heavens and earth, for God has promised that “the earth abideth forever.” (Eccl. 1:4) What will pass away is the present selfish social order. But God has promised a new social order, even the kingdom of Christ. This is referred to by Peter in our memory verse as a “new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.”—Isa. 55:17; Rev. 21:1-4

Since the present “world” or social order is to pass away there is all the more reason for us to set our affections on things above. Peter wrote, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?”—ch. 3:11

The Greek word here translated “conversation” really means one’s total conduct, not merely his words. The manner of persons we should strive to be is one that adds virtue and kindness and patience and love to his faith, and strives with all his might to make his calling and election sure.

QUESTIONS

In what way is the Christian to live expectantly?

What should a Christian add to his faith?

What is one of the basic promises of God?

What is symbolized by the heavens and earth mentioned by Peter?

What is “the new heavens and new earth”?

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