Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. 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.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation.

Rather than looking to the upcoming return of Christ with fear, we should simply prepare ourselves for it and live our lives.

Yes, the day will bring about destruction, with the image here being the heavens being destroyed by fire and elements melting in the heat. But, to borrow another biblical image, that fire may destroy what is impure, but it purifies and improves what is good, creating a “new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

As in another recent passage, we’re reminded that the delay of Christ’s return means salvation for those who can be saved before it happens.

But the heart of this passage, I believe, is in the next to the last sentence.

Don’t get tripped up by “make every effort to be found spotless [and] blameless.” A focus on that can lead down a trail of guilt and an effort to earn salvation.

Instead, concentrate on making every effort to be “found…at peace with him.”

It is in accepting Christ, and allowing him to reign in our life without fighting him at every turn, that we truly prepare ourselves for his return. Remember, it is Christ who will bring the new heaven and new earth where righteousness prevails–it’s not up to us.