Read: 2 Peter 3

Have you ever stood around a big bonfire? You can enjoy the warmth while you watch all the twigs and branches being burnt up. But, if there are some rocks or pieces of precious metal like gold or silver in the fire, they will not burn — they will not disappear.

2 Peter 3 speaks about the day of the Judgement, when Christ will return, and tells us that the earth will be refined with fire on that day. This means that everything wicked and sinful from this life will be burnt — totally destroyed, just like the branches in the bonfire. But God’s refining fire will not destroy everything. Our faith and belief in Jesus Christ will not be destroyed by fire. God is going to renew the earth, destroy everything sinful and make all things new.

So what should we be doing today while we are waiting for Christ to return? Should we just keep on doing our daily activities? Yes, we must certainly continue with the things God has given us to do. You need to keep going to school, to keep playing board games, to keep helping at home and to keep playing with your friends. But as you do these things, you must ask yourself if you are doing these things to God’s glory. Would you be happy for Christ to return while you are doing your activities? Would you be happy for Christ to see what you are doing?

Are you looking forward to Christ’s return, when there will be a new heaven and earth? Just think about it: on the new earth you will never sin again; you will never even have to struggle with sin. You will never displease God again with any of your thoughts or words. Everything you do will be perfect and without sin. It will not need to be destroyed with fire because it will be sinless. Oh, what a great future we have to look forward to!

Reflection with your child:

Do you remember to pray for Christ to return?

Source:  Sermons by Dr. R. Bredenhof, Dr. J. Smith, Rev. S. ’t Hart