Thursday, 20^th July 2023

Thursday, 20^th July 2023

Andrews Ampomah

TOPIC: LIVING WITHOUT SPOT AND BLEMISH

THEME SCRIPTURE: “Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” – 2 Peter 3:14

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. What should be your manner of life while waiting for Jesus’ return?
2. What does it mean to be without spot or blemish?

General eschatology, the study of the future or last things, is a difficult doctrine that has generated considerable controversy within the Church and the wider world. Notable individuals have fruitlessly forecasted the ultimate end of our world, yet those dates have continuously eluded them. Nearly two millennia ago, before ascending to sit at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, Jesus promised His followers that He would return for them. The Apostle Peter, in his second epistle addressed to “…those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:1)”, cautioned us about scoffers who will exploit the lengthy wait, indulging in their sinful desires and deriding Christians, questioning the fulfillment of His promise: "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation" (2 Peter 3:4). Our devotional yesterday served as a reminder of the unwavering certainty of this promise and the ultimate destination for Christians.

Seeing that the world and everything in it will be dissolved, “What sort of person ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness? (2 Peter 3:11).

In our focus text, the Apostle Peter recommends to Christians: “Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish.” He calls on us to remember that we are in a waiting period and that this earth is never our final destination. He also prescribes what kind of people we are to be. He calls for diligence in our Christian walk as the means by which the Christian can prevent a spot or blemish. Peter touches on progressive sanctification in this prescription.

Experiencing regeneration is not the end for the Christian; rather, it begins a journey to ensure, through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, that we work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

While the scoffers indulge in immorality and false doctrine, Peter reminds Christians that the only means by which we will attain our final great reward is to diligently live godly lives and resist immorality in all forms. Living a life without spot or blemish encompasses sound doctrine and living morally pure lives.

Beloved in Christ Jesus, how eager are you to meet Jesus? To lose faith in the second coming of Christ is to reject the glory that awaits you. We must constantly be reminded that Christ Jesus will return for His followers, and we must eagerly look forward to that.

Wayne Grudem says that “…the degree to which we actually long for Christ’s return is a measure of the spiritual condition of our own lives at the moment.”

While we eagerly look forward to Jesus’ return, we must faithfully divide the word of truth and ensure that we live lives that are worthy of our identity as Christians. We must be conscious of the need to avoid all things that will spot and blemish our Christian testimony. Would Jesus be pleased with you if He came now? God bless you.

 

FURTHER READING – 2 Peter 3

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so 

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Are you eagerly waiting for Jesus’ second coming?

 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to diligently live a life that is without spot or blemish. Help me to be ever consciousness of the certainty of Christ Jesus’ second coming, and may I be found worthy at His coming in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

2 Samuel 4; 2 Samuel 5; Jeremiah 10; Matthew 21