Advent Devotional, December 7

II Peter 3:11-18

 

“…what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness,

 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God… in accordance with his promise,

we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.”

                                                                                                                   (II Peter 3:11b, 13)

 

Early Christians anticipated the return of Christ at any moment.  Peter asks in our text today how believers should conduct themselves in the interim.  It’s a great question for contemporary believers as well, for we too should live in anticipation of the return of Christ.  Our waiting should reflect a holiness and godliness that is attributable to the Savior whose incarnation opened the door to this new heaven and new earth that Peter mentions in our text. 

 

It is interesting to note here that Peter mentions a characteristic of faith that is to be present now and throughout eternity…righteousness.  I like the way he characterizes the living of that faith… “where righteousness is at home.” 

 

Here is a powerful question for us as we mark the days of Advent in preparation for the coming Christ. What sort of person should you and I be in anticipation of  the coming Christ…a person where righteousness is at home.

 

Prayer:  Soon-coming Christ, we invite you to come into our hearts anew and find there a place where righteousness is at home. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy