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. 2 Peter 3:13,14
The new master of the manor had invited all of his many tenants to come to a great supper that he had prepared for them. Never before had such an event been held, and the tenants were in joyful awe at such an opportunity. Some of them arrived for the feast in their working clothes, which were all they had. A few were able to dress in clothing with at least a little neatness and colour. And there was one old man who arrived in an old moth-eaten suit that he had mended and cleaned very carefully. Some of his neighbours joked that he still fell a little short of the fine clothes of the master and his family. The old man agreed with them with a smile, but added, ‘I did the best I could with what I had!’ Good for him! And I think it’s that same attitude that Peter is looking for as he urges Christians to keep their eternal destination in mind.
We are confident that we will all be provided with an appropriate ‘wedding garment’ when we are called to attend that great Marriage Supper of the Lamb. None of earth’s cheap trappings will be in evidence at that splendid and glorious event, which will be the portal to our destination of the new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. None of earth’s garbage conversations will be there, either, nor any of the petty differences that have plagued the unity of the Lord’s people over the centuries. The temporary things that occupy so much of our time and energy and resources now will be forever put aside as we take up the glorious never-ending theme of our Saviour’s amazing grace: ‘That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus’ (Ephesians 2:7). But as our text points out, there is something that we can do to get ready for that great event.
Peter urges us to diligence in three things: peace, spotlessness, and blamelessness. Peace is difficult because so many of us have our own ideas of what is right and wrong. But if we submit our opinions to the Word of God, we can have peace with those who do likewise. Spotlessness is also difficult, because we live in a filthy world. Again, only the Word of God can preserve us from that filth. Our blamelessness is also dependent on our submission to the Word of God and to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
As the old man said, we do the best we can with what we have. If we can say that with a clear conscience, we will do well. -Jim MacIntosh