"Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace" (2 Peter 3:14a). "Looking forward to these things" (v. 14a)—the day of God, the new heavens and the new earth, the eternal state, and the eternal kingdom—we are to live in a way that reflects our eternal perspective.
That means to "be diligent to be found by Him in peace" (v. 14a). "To be found" (v. 14a) reminds us that we cannot hide from Christ when He returns. He will leave no stone unturned. He will overlook nothing. "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God" (1 Cor. 4:5). If He finds you at peace with God when He returns, you will indeed receive praise from God.
"Peace" here is the peace that comes from true saving faith in the Lord. It is a peace that eliminates all worry and fear, because you know for certain that your sins are forgiven, and you know for certain that Christ indwells your heart through your personal faith in Him. "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:11-13).
In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul said, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." No matter how terrible things become as that final day of destruction approaches, all who know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior will experience peace in Him, knowing that they will soon be in His eternal presence and enjoying His eternal kingdom.
False teachers are those who have "spots and blemishes" (2 Peter 2:13b). We, on the other hand, are to be "without spot and blameless" (2 Peter 3:14b). "Without spot" (v. 14b) can refer to Christian character, the kind of people we really are; and "blameless" (v. 14b) refers to Christian reputation, the kind of righteous and highly moral people we are known to be.
Unfortunately, there are some in the church who are neither without spot or blameless. There are some who appear blameless, but privately their lives are anything but spotless. Despite being a part of the church, they live sinful lifestyles, and they may or may not be truly Christian; they may or may not be born again. They are like modern-day Pharisees. They put on a good front, while hiding their unrepentant sin. They fail to develop a heart of righteousness.
I pray that does not describe any of you. We are exhorted by Peter to be above reproach. We are encouraged to be men and women of integrity, characterized by the highest level of personal holiness—"without spot and blameless" (v. 14b).
When you live a life of personal holiness, others see you and your life is a testimony to the power of Christ. It is a life others want. When they see you, they are drawn to Christ and are brought to a point of turning to Christ for their salvation.
The hope of leading others to Christ, along with the promise of Christ's return, gives us all the reason we need for living a life of personal holiness in Christ. It is all the reason we need to practice the disciplines of the faith—Bible study, prayer, worship, fellowship with one another, Christian service, and outreach—and to live your life in Christ and for Christ. Internal, personal holiness is what we as Christians strive for. Amen.
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