Hope for the Growing Christian in 2021

The Day of the Lord is Coming

In the last days, before Jesus returns, there will be those who laugh at the truth, reject it, and do whatever evil they so desire. Their arguments will go something like this: "If Jesus promised to come back for you and his people, where is he? It has been 2012 years since he supposedly died, nothing has changed and things have only gotten worse; God isn't real and Jesus isn't coming to save anyone."


For those of you who are newer to your faith, don't fall prey to such trivial thinking. Those who think in this way and follow their own beliefs will seek only to win you over to their way of life; which is in sin and slavery. Although these people may not be preaching against Christianity openly, they can still be looked at as a false teacher. See more about them in my last post Put Your Faith in God Not in False Teachers!

Today we'll be wrapping up the book of 2 Peter, studying from chapter 3, I think it may be the shortest book in the Bible actually; but don't quote me on that, I haven't checked.

Update: I just checked and 2 Peter is not the shortest book in the Bible, it's 2 John, coming in with only 13 verses.

Update 2: I've been corrected yet again by my fellow brother Benjamin, 3 John is actually the shortest, even though it has 2 additional verses. 2 John contains 303 words while 3 John only contains 299. Thanks Ben!

Science vs The Bible

Due to the area we live in, which is the US in most of our cases, and the knowledge we've gained in Science, non-believers don't believe that God created the world; they believe in teachings of the big bang theory and evolution. How crazy are those theories, seriously? Where as in the past, back in Bible times mind you, even the most devout Jews believed in the God and that he was the creator, they just simply could not accept Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. 

I'm not sure about you, but a manuscript such as the Bible, which was written long before the practice of Science, should not be taken lightly. I can't state this as a fact, but I doubt that creative writing was in high regard back then, meaning that the Bible is not just a book of stories, it's the Word of God; it's fact. Scientists, researchers, and Ph.D holders can all contemplate what they like, but the Bible is the oldest recorded book in history. The entire text revolves around the same subjects, practices, teachings, and beliefs, written by several different authors, during different periods of time, in different areas of the world; all of that cannot be a mere coincidence.

The Second Judgement

Regardless of how far mankind has fallen, the truth is that God spoke everything into existence, including the waters which surround the lands we live on. These same great lakes and oceans he created that help us to sustain life, were also used to destroy it and begin the world anew. This was during the first judgement that was passed on the earth, when God delivered Noah and his family, along with two of each living thing, safely from the clutches of death to a new beginning.

God has also spoken of a second cleansing of the earth, which will take place on the day of judgement, after the Second Coming of Christ. The heavens and the earth will be consumed by fire, and all ungodly people will perish. 

Revelation 20:10-15 talks about the final judgement in greater detail. Everyone will be gathered before God, and those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire with Satan; there they will be tortured and tormented for all eternity. I cannot imagine the pain, an endless pain of fire forever and never ending suffering. But I need not be concerned for my soul, it has been saved and resides with Jesus Christ in heaven with God; can you say the same?

The Promise of God

Peter reminds us and tells us not to forget that a day is like 1000 years to God, and a 1000 years is like a day. God isn't being lazy or slow in his promise of return. In fact it's quite the opposite, he's pouring out his mercy and postponing it so that others have time to repent and give their lives to him. So don't stand around idly waiting for Jesus to return, although the time is drawing near, we have work to do; reach out and witness to those who are doomed to perish.

Although God is holding off on his judgement, make no mistake that it will come to pass; and when it does, it will be like a thief in the night, unexpected and sudden. What a terrible day it will be for those who don't know Jesus and the Lord, but what a wonderful day it will be for those who do!

We've already established that this world will be cleansed by fire, do you realize what that means? All the things of this world that you hold dear will be destroyed: money, homes, cars, electronics, furniture, everything! The only thing that will be saved is that which belongs to God, our souls. In turn, you should realize this, the only thing which we will get to take with us to Heaven are people. Don't waste your time worrying about the next best thing, it will pass away; instead, put all your desires in heavenly things.

As Christians, we should be modeling our lives after our true Father and Jesus Christ, striving to live devoted and godly lives. Is it nice to have nice things? Of course, but don't let your desires consume you, for you will one day lose these things. Instead, seek to further the kingdom of the Lord, bringing new people to faith in him!

As we do this and live out our lives serving him, look forward to what is to come. The heavens and the earth, as well as our own bodies, will be re-created to God's liking; to last for all eternity. Imagine, standing beside all the great people of the past, with Jesus, in the presence of God and just worshiping him; now wrap your mind around this, forever! So don't just wait for this to happen, there will be plenty of time for peace in heaven; instead, focus on your relationship with God and reaching out to others. 

For remember this, God is only waiting so that others may come to know him. I'm not implying that if we all work hard and recruit more followers that he'll return quicker; but at the same time, you never know, and it's what we should be desiring to do anyway.

My Changes and Growth

Up until the very beginning of this year, New Year's Eve as a matter of fact, I was living my life however I wanted and doing whatever I saw fit. Moments after the fireworks had finished shooting off, a feeling came over me that I needed to change they way I was living my life. I was living only for myself: behaving selfishly, seeking only monetary gain, desiring new things and a better life, but I was not happy. A change began to occur in my mind and in the desires for my life, I wanted to be happy, and I wanted to do something amazing with my life.

Keep this in mind, I was already a Christian, I had just fallen away from my faith and decided to return to a life of sin. Well, the decision to rededicate my life to God surfaced in my mind, and I decided I would commit myself to doing so. I immediately began reading my Bible, seeking to become a godly man, someone who upholds the Lord's teachings and desires a relationship with him. I began to see before my very eyes some of the sinful desires I previously had to disappear and be replaced with a desire for God.

I began to pray after each session of my time in the Word, praying for God to take control of my life and reform my heart and my mind in a way that could be used by him. I made the decision to publicly rededicate my life to him, through baptism at the church which I had decided to attend. Immediately following this step, I lost all desire to look upon pornography, I'm not saying this happens with everyone, but it happened with me. I've lost my desire to curse, start verbal fights, and a lot of my drinking habits. 

Ultimately, I feel that once you truly decide to dedicate your life to serving God, you lose all desire for the things you used to do which were sinful. It may not happen immediately, but if you discipline yourself to a faithful life with God, it will happen. Just as this article talks about reaching out to others while there is still time, that is my sole purpose for this site. Not only is it a tool for God to use through me, but it is also a place to help me learn about him as I study, and a place to hone my writing skills for him.

Thank you all for your time, please feel free to leave me a comment and share this post with your friends and family members with the social buttons above. If you enjoyed reading this post, please give me a +1, which you'll find just under this paragraph!

God Bless!