Does It Really Matter?

II Peter 3:11-18

I installed a water treatment system on a log house northeast of Durango, Colorado. It is located about four and a half miles off the nearest major road, and the road is so steep that my work truck could hardly climb it. The house sets in the edge of the forest, in a beautiful location, getting it’s water from two wells.

When the county issued the building permit, they required that a fire protection system and sprinklers be put in the house with adequate storage because there was no way the fire department could arrive in time to save the house. The fire system alone required about two thousand gallons of water storage, a huge pump, and a full sprinkler system, costing a huge amount of money.

These requirements were made after the Missionary Ridge fire burned about thirty homes. Such large forest fires are uncommon, but the possibility that another one could happen prompted the requirements. God has warned of the judgment to fall on the earth, including the final burning the earth itself. Believing that it is coming, it is stupid not to take measures to protect ourselves when it happens.

“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (II Peter 3:11-13)

We know that the world is going to be destroyed because of the wickedness of mankind. We also know that Christ died to make propitiation for our sins. We can by faith receive that salvation, and deliverance from the power of sin, as Romans 6:6 declares, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” To go back and live in sin after being saved is as if the owner of the house decided it would be alright to start build a campfire in the middle of the living room because the Fire protection system would keep it from burning down the house.

Although the house might be saved, the fire, smoke and water damage would never be completely erased, Seriously reducing the value and pleasure in the home for as long as it stood. Building the fire would be a really stupid thing to do for a person who intended to keep the house. Going back into sin will seriously affect our eternity, and thus is a really stupid thing for a person who believes in eternal life to do. Romans 6:15-16 asks, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

An owner who set his house on fire because the fire protection system would stop it from burning down would almost have to be drunk or high on drugs, thinking only of the moment. A sober person would consider the impact over a longer term. A person who is looking for God’s kingdom will be focused beyond the pleasure of the moment.

“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (II Peter 3:14-16)

If we believe that we are going to spend eternity with the Lord, and appreciate what he has done, there will be an effort to find out what he wants and do it. John 14:21 states, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:…” A person who doesn’t care enough to find out what God wants or to do it doesn’t love the Lord. Knowing what God wants requires more than a superficial scanning of the scriptures, and many don’t care enough to study it thoroughly. If we don’t, we may be led to believe something other than the truth ourselves, no longer depending on Christ for our righteousness, but on our own efforts and understanding.

“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (II Peter 3:17-18)

To avoid falling away, it will be necessary to increase in our knowledge of him, allowing him to produce changes in us. II Corinthians 3:18 states, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” He will get the glory because it is him that changes us. As Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”