Make Every Effort
“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 world. “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…” looking forward to what our God is going to be doing (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 the Almighty and leading others to do the same.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort; every one of your efforts has to be in the direction of being found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Yahveh (the Lord). Our efforts are not to go to the world; our efforts are not to go to ourselves; our efforts are to go toward being spotless and blameless so that we are at peace with Yahveh our God. Make every effort, in whatever you do, in word and deed, to speak for the glory of the our God and Savior, for the advancement of His kingdom, and for the salvation of lost souls. When He comes He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).
If you are confessing Him with your lips while your life is fulfilling its cravings for the world and the things of the world, you will reap destruction, friendship with the world makes you and enemy of God (see James 4:4). Judgment is on His enemies regardless of the lip service they give Him as they flock to the things of this world. Every effort, every inclination of your heart has to be in the direction of holiness and blamelessness. Yahveh destroyed Noah’s generation because every inclination of their hearts was evil. Yahshua (Jesus) says, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them” (James 4:17). We must not self-justify our sinful nature. Make every effort, every effort in word and deed to the glory of our God and Savior; this eradicates the flesh.
