Spotless, Blameless, and at Peace

 "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”

— 2 Peter 3:14

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

This is the third time in three verses that Peter uses the word prosdokáo — “looking forward.” We are looking forward with watchful anticipation and expectation to the Day You return. Since we are watching expectantly, we are to endeavor and exert diligence with speed, effort, and labor to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace. This statement echoes Peter’s earlier call to “make every effort to add to your faith,” in 2 Peter 1:5.

These two words “spotless” and “blameless” are both positional and practical. 1 Peter 1:19 says You were “a lamb without blemish or defect (spot).” You offered Your life as the perfect sacrifice to redeem my life. Therefore, my blamelessness is already secured in Christ. I’m blameless because You took away my blame. That is my position. Yet these words are also practical because they are worked out in daily obedience. Being found spotless and blameless isn’t pursued by passively waiting for Your return. It is pursued through disciplined growth and self-examination.

Being “at peace” means living with relational harmony toward God and others. This definitely requires diligence and effort! The anticipation that You could return at any moment gives me the hope-filled obedience to live at peace with those around me. I cannot do that in my own power. I need the Spirit of God indwelling in me and motivating me to live at peace with others.

Gracious Lord Jesus, I really am looking forward to this Day. It draws closer with every passing moment. May I make every effort—really endeavoring with focused determination—to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace. Survey my heart today. Point out the areas within me that are lacking moral purity. Point out the areas around me that are lacking visible integrity. May my blamelessness stand out in stark contrast to a decaying world to reveal a readiness for Your return like a bride adorning herself for her husband on their wedding day.

—In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

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