Patiently Making Every Effort

Two great realities of the Christian life are encompassed by this text: patient waiting and diligent effort. As we wait for the Lord's return, we are to pursue God's righteousness, holiness, and peace in the community of faith. We should not procrastinate in putting off sin; but do it now, be quick, be urgent (is the meaning of the NT Greek). Even Jesus, speaking with hyperbole, said to "cut off your hand if it causes you to sin." Both of Peter's letters, in fact, urge us to embrace the ethics of the kingdom though we may seem strange to our culture and be under pressure to conform to it. While we patiently wait for our Lord's return, we need to make haste to implement the life of the world to come into our own lives right now.