Brian Maloy

This is our last week in 1/2 Peter in our Sunday School Class. Naturally, I lament. I become a bit attached to whatever book we spend three to six months studying. BUT, we are moving onto Psalms next quarter, so that’s fun!

This week I found incredibly encouraging. Peter sought to build up the readers of his letter in the midst of the struggles they’d endure. I saw this last chapter of 2 Peter as something of a “if you heard nothing else, hear this” type of send off.

2 Peter 3:5-6 CSB (a cool connection, but not a major topic we lingered upon)
“For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being deluged with water.“

Question in my mind: What connection is there with water?

I notice that 2 Peter 3:5 mentioned the world being formed from water, then destroyed with water, is there symbolism there between that water, the the baptism of believers in water, in death to life?

We know baptism is understood as an outward sign of an inward reality—death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4). The flood in Noah’s time was a form of judgment, but it also marked a new beginning for humanity. 

Surely this connection and symbolism was intentional, or at least divinely orchestrated — baptism signifies judgment on the old self and the beginning of a new life in Christ.

2 Peter 3:11-13 CSB
“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 of the day of God, because of which the heavens burning will be destroyed, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH, in which righteousness dwells.”

Redemptive History and Typology — I spent a LOT of time bugging my class with this idea over the last 3 months… previously we studied Exodus and Leviticus — which in short, we see an incredible movement to free God’s people physically from bondage and slavery. Then they must learn how to unwind the worldliness of Egypt from their living, and prepare for living in a new land, surrounded by those who do not know Yahweh. YET, in 1/2 Peter, we are confronted time and again with the idea that having been freed spiritually from bondage and slavery to sin, we now must learn to live as God’s people in our world (in this case, 2025), as holy and set apart, again in a world that does not honor Yahweh.

But at its heart, the movement from physical bondage in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land mirrors the deeper spiritual reality of salvation—being freed from sin and called to holiness.

In Exodus and Leviticus, God not only delivers His people but also instructs them on how to live as a distinct, holy nation. The laws and rituals weren’t just about obedience; they were about shaping Israel’s identity as God’s covenant people, separate from the surrounding nations. 

This foreshadows the New Testament call for believers to be set apart, not by ceremonial law but by holiness in Christ.

Peter’s letters build on this theme, showing how believers, though spiritually free, must navigate a world that doesn’t understand their calling. In 1 Peter 2:9-10, he explicitly applies Old Testament language about Israel to the church, calling believers a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” This reinforces the idea that just as Israel was called out of Egypt to be distinct, Christians are called out of sin to live as exiles in a world that opposes them. Honestly, I don’t think we can reflect on this idea enough — it gives deeper meaning and purpose to so much of life.

2 Peter 3:14 CSB
“Therefore, beloved, since you are looking for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless”

C.S. Lewis wrote about this idea of being ready for Christ’s return, and I really love this thought:
He emphasized that when Christ returns, we should be found faithfully carrying out our daily responsibilities. In The World’s Last Night, he argues that the Second Coming should not lead to frantic speculation or neglect of ordinary duties. Instead, he suggests that if Christ were to return tomorrow, the best thing a Christian could do is simply continue doing what is right—whether that’s teaching, working, praying, or even enjoying a meal. Lewis illustrates this idea with a practical example: if a man knew the world would end tomorrow, he should still plant a tree today. The point is that faithfulness in the present moment is what matters, rather than trying to predict the timing of Christ’s return.

Thus, Holy Living

This idea of our being ready for Christ’s return certainly begs the question… what obstacles normally stand in the way of Holy Living (thus preparing ourselves for Christ’s certain return)? Again, the Bible is paramount to helping us recognizing the key hindrances.
This list isn’t extensive, but I tried to think about COMMON and relatable obstacles:

• A Self-Centered View of Sin – Instead of seeing sin primarily as an offense against God, believers may focus on its consequences for themselves. True holiness requires hating sin as God hates it and viewing it as rebellion against Him.
• Misunderstanding Faith and Effort – Some may assume that holiness comes passively through faith alone, neglecting the biblical call to actively pursue righteousness. Reformed theology teaches that sanctification is a lifelong process requiring effort, discipline, and reliance on the Spirit.
• The Influence of the World – Cultural pressures and worldly desires can subtly shape a believer’s mindset, making holiness seem impractical or extreme. Romans 12:2 calls believers to renew their minds and resist conformity to the world.
• The Flesh and Sin Nature – Even after salvation, believers struggle with the remnants of their sinful nature. Paul describes this battle in Romans 7, emphasizing the need to walk by the Spirit and put sin to death daily.

2 Peter 3:17-18 CSB
“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest you, having been carried away by the error of unprincipled men, fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.“

I think in these verses, I was challenged to ask myself the question, how do I know if I AM spiritually healthy? I think we all have gut feelings, but I am also good at deceiving even myself… I suspect I am not alone. I made a short list, but I tend to overdo it… so below is my long list. I think of them as “spiritual barometers” in a manner of speaking. They serve to help me evaluate myself a bit more honestly regarding my sanctification, and my assurance found in Christ. No doubt, there are many more we could identify in scripture, nevertheless, here are some to ponder:

Some Indicators of Spiritual Wellness (all in LSB)

• Deepening Love for God – A growing desire to know and worship Him.  “You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
• Hunger for Scripture – Regular engagement with God’s Word for transformation.  “But his delight is in the law of Yahweh, And in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2)
• Conviction Over Sin – Sensitivity to sin and a desire for repentance.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
• Consistent Prayer Life – A habit of seeking God in prayer, not just in crisis.  “Pray without ceasing;” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• Fruit of the Spirit – Evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
• Desire for Holiness – A longing to be conformed to Christ’s image.  “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your conduct; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
• Love for the Church – Commitment to fellowship, service, and accountability.  “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
• Hope in Christ’s Return – Living in anticipation of His kingdom.  “Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13)
• Obedience to God’s Commands – A willingness to follow His will.  “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
• Growth in Humility – A decreasing focus on self and an increasing reliance on God.  “Doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves,” (Philippians 2:3)
• Faithfulness in Trials – Trusting God through suffering and hardship.  “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,” (James 1:2)
• Desire to Share the Gospel – A heart for evangelism and discipleship.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19)
• Stewardship of Time and Resources – Using gifts wisely for God’s glory.  “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,” (Colossians 3:23)
• Forgiveness and Grace – Extending mercy as Christ has shown mercy.  “Instead, be kind to one another, tender-hearted, graciously forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has graciously forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
• Spiritual Discernment – Ability to distinguish truth from error.  “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14)
• Commitment to Sound Doctrine – Holding fast to biblical truth.  “Holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to boast because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.” (Philippians 2:16)
• Joy in Worship – A heart that delights in praising God.  “Sing to Yahweh, bless His name; Proclaim good news of His salvation from day to day.” (Psalm 96:2)
• Love for Others – Genuine care and service toward people.  “Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
• Perseverance in Faith – Enduring in belief despite challenges.  “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1)
• Desire for God’s Glory Above All – Seeking His honor rather than personal gain.  “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
• Reverence for God’s Sovereignty – A deep trust in His wisdom and control over all things. “Yahweh has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.” (Psalm 103:19)

Spiritual wellness/growth (sanctification) is not perfection but a continual pursuit of Christ. If these markers are present, even in small measure, they help us to see the Spirit’s work. That should both encourage us, seeing growth however little it may be. But it should also challenge us, serving as a mirror to help us see the gaps in our holiness, where we fail to surrender parts of our lives to the Lord.

The reality is, we cannot allow our lives to be passive avoidance of sin. We are clearly being called by Peter to actively pursue Holiness. We cannot do that sitting still, waiting for something to happen. After all, holiness does not happen on accident.