How does anticipation of God's day influence our daily decisions and priorities? Setting Our Compass: What “the day of God” Means • 2 Peter 3:12: “as you look for and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.” • Peter is speaking of the climactic moment when Christ openly reigns, judgment is executed, and the present order is replaced by “new heavens and a new earth” (v. 13). • Because this day is certain, near, and final, it becomes the reference point for every lesser plan. Living with Eyes on the Horizon • Anticipation isn’t passive; Peter says we can “hasten” the day—living in a way that aligns with and speeds along God’s purposes. • This hope pulls the future into the present, coloring the way we handle time, money, relationships, and temptations. Priorities Shaped by Expectation • Seek first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33). Eternity reorders the calendar and the budget. • Invest in indestructible treasure (Matthew 6:19-20). Generosity outweighs accumulation. • Pursue holiness (2 Peter 3:11; 1 John 3:2-3). Every moral choice is training for life in a sin-free world. • Guard gospel urgency—souls are eternal, schedules are temporary (2 Corinthians 5:10-11). Decisions Guided by Eternal Perspective • Daily planner test: “Will this matter when the sky burns and the King appears?” • Career: choose roles that advance witness and integrity over mere advancement. • Family: nurture faith at home; children are fellow heirs of new creation. • Entertainment: filter options through Philippians 4:8; what dulls longing for Christ is discarded. • Conflict: forgive quickly (Ephesians 4:32). No grievance will survive the final fire. Guardrails Against Distraction • Stay awake (1 Thessalonians 5:6). Spiritual drowsiness is the enemy of readiness. • Gather faithfully (Hebrews 10:24-25). Mutual encouragement fans anticipation. • Hold things loosely (1 Corinthians 7:29-31). Possessions and positions are temporary assignments. Fuel for Holy Boldness • Knowing the story’s end frees us from fear (Hebrews 13:6). • Sacrifice now is reward later (Romans 8:18). • Evangelism becomes urgent: “The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near” (Romans 13:11-12). Encouragement from the Rest of Scripture • Titus 2:11-13—Grace trains us “to live sensibly, righteously and godly... while we wait for the blessed hope.” • 1 Peter 1:13-15—“set your hope fully” and “be holy.” Hope fuels holiness. • Colossians 3:2-4—Set minds above; when Christ appears, “you also will appear with Him in glory.” The sure arrival of God’s day turns every ordinary choice into an eternal investment, pressing us to live visibly holy, sacrificial, kingdom-first lives that speed the sunrise of eternity. |
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