Week 8 - Day 6
(14) So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. (15) Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. (16) He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Reading: Again, Peter urges us to be holy, or “spotless” and “blameless,” being “at peace” with God. There is great effort on our part to strive for holiness even if our salvation cannot be earned. To most people, this is a mystery of sorts, because it is hard to comprehend – that we can’t earn our salvation but we are to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12). It’s easier to remember it this way – that God desires a relationship on his terms, not ours.
One of the many distortions, for example, is that people say we can earn our salvation or earn our way to God. Paul is clear in his written works that our works are like filthy rags to God, if we try to present them as our payment for sins and our righteousness (Romans 3:10). It’s so important to know that Jesus Christ paid the full penalty of our sins on the cross by his blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). Our striving for holy living shows that we care, even though we are far from holy. Here’s an example. We don’t get to be on the team because we choose to be but because the coach lets us. When we make the team, it’s because he put our name on the roster. But even when we are allowed to put on the uniform, we should choose to want a good relationship with our coach. We try to help the team by playing well, encouraging the other players, and doing what our coach asks. In doing those things, we will finish the season.
Now that we are coming to the end of this journal, this would be a great time to read some of Paul’s letters. He does a great job of explaining salvation even though it is sometimes hard to understand. Thank God that you can compete on his team. It is amazing despite how far off we are in our sin that we can now have peace with God through the cross of Jesus Christ.
Reflection: What are some sins today that you need to repent of? How can you put tangible effort for spotlessness, blamelessness, and peace with God?
Prayer Prompt: Father in Heaven, my works are filthy rags, but thank you that through your son Jesus Christ you no longer see me as a filthy rag. Now that I put my faith in you, you see me as a son. I was lost, but now I’m found. My salvation was a gift and it was purchased by the blood of your son. I can’t do anything to earn it. Today, I repent from my sins and I turn to you. I want to strive for holiness. Help me do just that.