Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:14-16

Where will you be when Christ returns? This may sound like an odd question , maybe even impossible to answer, but it should be a question that ponders in our minds. Just like the Ten Virgins of Matthew 25, 5 were ready and wise, the other 5 were foolish and with no oil, when The Lord returned those who were not ready, the door was shut! They cried out to him, Lord Lord opened up to us, but he declared I never knew you!

Now look at the words the Apostle Peter “Be diligent or make every effort that you may be found of Him (Christ) in peace, without spot and blameless” The Apostle Peter didn’t tell the Church to live their best life now, he didn’t say just wait for the rapture, no he said “Make A effort” So what effort are you making to be ready for the return of Christ? Are you ready for the return of Christ? 

It’s easy to become a lazy Christian, you stop reading your Bible, you stop spending time in prayer, you stop worshiping and serving at your local Church, it’s easy to get into bad habits and be pulled into the world. Its easy to get pulled into the world, get distracted , spend alot of time on things that have nothing to do with God. But as Jesus comes as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5) will you be ready? Or will you be caught off guard like the foolish virgins and the door will be shut (Matthew 25)

Now I know there will be some who will say “this is legalism” , “this is works based salvation” My response is if you are truly Born Again in Christ, if the Holy Spirit is truly living inside of you, then shouldn’t your life reflect this? How can you say , you have the Holy Spirit, when we don’t see any fruits of the Holy Spirit? (Matthew 7, Galatians 5) This is not legalism, this is the reality of being regenerated, as Jesus said “A good tree will bear good fruit”

Again Peter addresses why The Lord hasn’t returned yet, “The Lord patience or long suffering brings salvation” As Peter said previously God wants everyone to become saved, therefore God is being patient before bringing wrath upon the wicked. This is a patient and loving God, as we deserve the judgment to come, yet God wants to provide mercy and atonement. This is why the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) is our mission as the Church

Another thing to note here is as the Apostle Peter affirms the Apostles Paul’s writings, for those who like to reject parts of the Bible because it doesn’t fit into their narrative, all scripture is God breathed and profitable for us. 

 Be diligent Church, Be prepared because The Lord is coming as a thief in the night, don’t find out The Lord never knew you when the door is shut, Repent and put your faith in Christ as Lord today!