Sanctify Messiah as Master in Your Hearts
- 1 Peter 3:15 -
“Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking,” to wake you up from your complacency (2 Peter 3:1). Peter is talking about the judgments of the past to remind us that they are going to happen again. He says, “We also have the prophetic message…and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place…” (2 Peter 1:19 NIV).
“Above all, you must understand that in the last days [which we are in], scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” (2 Peter 3:3) If we continue to act in a worldly way, putting our treasures, hopes, and cravings in this world, we are going to end up being scoffers. We will basically say, “We don’t believe He is coming soon, we don’t really have the fear of Yahveh (the LORD) on us that is sobering us up to be alert, vigilant, and watchful. Scoffers do not like the discomfort of living on the brink of destruction and denying their flesh, so they will live and make merry saying, “Who knows when Yahshua (Jesus) and all these judgments are coming?”
“But the day of Yahveh (the LORD) will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and it works will be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10) Fire is going to destroy this nation and ultimately the sin-ridden earth. “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming day of Yahveh (the LORD)…” (2 Peter 3:11-12). It will be the beginning of a home of righteousness, welcoming the holy, righteous, redeemed elect who are cleansed in the blood of Yahshua (Jesus).
“…That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:12-13). This is the badge of a real believer; it is nothing else. Real, faith-filled, redeemed believers of the Most High live with this hope, living righteously before Yahveh and leading others to do the same.
Yahshua (Jesus) says we are to strive to “Enter through the narrow gate” (Matthew 7:13) and make every effort to do so to stay on the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. We need to be an effortful people who make our efforts in agreement with our Savior who essentially says, “If you and I are not in agreement, you cannot walk with Me.” (see Amos 3:3) He is making every effort to beseech people to be reconciled to His Father Yahveh, the Holy One of Israel, the Creator of heaven and earth. By the unction of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, we are to make every effort to please the Father—to find out what pleases Yahveh (the LORD) and do it!
“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Messiah as Master in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” (1 Peter 3:13-15)
“Therefore, since Messiah has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” (1 Peter 4:1-2)
Make every effort to live for the will of Yahveh (the LORD), and in doing so you will crucify, impale, and demolish your flesh and all its desires. Let us make every effort to be found pleasing in His sight.
