“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless…”
be diligent
“Be diligent” means to make effort (2 Peter 1:5,10,15). We make every effort to deal with our lives now because we anticipate something new. This is an issue of application.
If we keep short accounts with God, we purify ourselves. If I know that the Lord might come before tonight, I keep myself ready.
“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).
to be found by Him in peace
In what kind of condition will God find us on that day? What kind of relationship will we have with Him? The word “found” means discovered. How will God discover you on that day? Will He find you resting in His provision in Christ?
“Peace” here is an objective, not subjective, peace. This is the peace Jesus earned for us before God (Romans 5:1). This is another way of referring to the reconciliation He made on the cross.
Peace in the Bible is not stillness but animation–animation without agitation. A person with “peace” is a person with a well-arranged soul. It is not the absence of problems but the absence of agitation and antagonism. The bearings of a person at peace are smooth. Their soul is well greased. Here is a harmony of the soul that can only break when we get out of accord with God. Harmony depends on the cooperation of all the parts. Does your whole being move in communion with God?
Principle:
Christian peace comes from the harmony of the soul.
Application:
When Jesus comes, will He find us in good spiritual health? Although our problem might be as acute as ever, you relax in your soul. You have tranquility in the middle of turbulence. You are at rest.
Some people are so tense that they are about ready to snap. They hold to their problems tenaciously. Why not give them to the Lord?
“…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Instead, many of us risk burnout because we do not let God take our problems. We risk short-circuiting our nervous system. Can you find rest in Him? Make sure there is nothing between you and the Savior or between you and someone else.
