Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. As Christians, what attitude should we have with regard to the coming day of the Lord? Why should we have this attitude? See 2 Peter 3:12-13 (printed below)
…you watch for and eagerly await the coming of the day of God. On that day the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will be dissolved by the intense heat. (13) But, according to his promise, we are watching for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness resides. (2 Peter 3:12-13)
As a Christian, your attitude should be that of watching for and eagerly awaiting the coming of the day of God. In light of verse 12b (“On that day the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will be dissolved by the intense heat”), one might ask, Why would we be looking forward to this day? The answer is revealed in verse 13; namely, the fact that the day of God’s coming will bring the fulfillment of God’s promise: the appearance of the new creation characterized by righteousness, a creation for which the redeemed are being prepared and into which they will be welcomed.
2. According to 2 Peter 3:11 (printed below), how ought we to live in anticipation of the coming day of God?
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? —You ought to live in holy conduct and godliness (2 Peter 3:11)
As Christians, we ought to prepare for the coming day of God by living lives that are characterized by “holy conduct and godliness.” That is to say, our lives are not merely to be morally upright, they are to be devoted to God and oriented around God.
3. How can we comply with Peter’s exhortation as it is presented in verse 11 (printed above under question #2?) Note John 15:1-2 and 4 (printed below)
I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. (2) He removes every branch in me that does not bear fruit. But he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it may bear more fruit…(4) Remain in me, and I will remain in you. The branch cannot bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine; so neither can you bear fruit, unless you remain in me. (John 15:1-2,4)
We can only comply with Peter’s exhortation by relying upon the Holy Spirit and His transforming grace. In John 15 the Lord Jesus informs us that we must not rely upon our own futile human efforts in cultivating the Christian life, we must rely upon Him as He ministers to us by His Holy Spirit.
4. What should the Christian do when he feels acutely aware of his sinful shortcomings and becomes anxious about the coming day of God? Consider Romans 8:1 and 2 Corinthians 3:18 (printed below)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
But we all…beholding…the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
On those occasions when the Christian feels acutely aware of his sinful shortcomings and becomes anxious about the coming day of God, he must claim the assurance of Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He should ask the Lord to comfort his heart with the blessed assurance that Christ has paid for his sins on the cross of Calvary and has covered him with His own perfect righteousness. Furthermore, the Christian must remember that becoming conformed to the image of Christ is a process being carried on in his life by the Holy Spirit, as 2 Corinthians 3:18 indicates. That process at times may seem almost imperceptible to the devout Christian, but he may be assured that God will carry it out to its perfect completion (note Philippians 1:6)—and that will become evident on the day of God!
5. What exhortation does Peter give the Christian as he concludes his epistle? See 2 Peter 3:18 (printed below)
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)
Peter exhorts us to “grow in the grace…of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” We are to use God’s grace (His divine resources for godly living) to get more grace. By way of illustration: you work your muscles on the exercise machine in order to build more muscle. Likewise, as we employ the grace God has made available to us we increase our capacity to receive more grace that is to be used for still further spiritual growth. We are also to “grow in the…knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” We are being called to an ever greater experience of Christ and a deeper relationship with Him.
