Together in Christ: 'Making Each Moment Count!' — 2 Peter 1:13-16

Very few people want to talk about death. They don't want to face the reality of their death. They are fearful of talking about death with those who are considered terminally ill. Those dying often don't want to burden others with their impending death, so they do not discuss their important life principles as they "stare death in the face." Many precious opportunities for genuine conversations with those dying never happen. Heartfelt conversations with those about to be "left behind" are lost forever. All of this stands in stark contrast to what the Scriptures teach us about conversations that can and should happen as someone walks "through the darkest valley" of life. ^[1]

As Paul and Peter each faced their impending death, they used the emotions and urgency of the moment to share important messages with the people ^[2] and churches ^[3] they loved. This was what Peter was doing in our relationship verse for today. Peter and Paul knew that Jesus came to defeat our reasons to fear death. ^[4] They wanted us to be confident that through Jesus we have victory over death. ^[5]

In our passage, Jesus had shown Peter that his time to "leave this earthly life" was near. Rather than bemoan his fate or lose this precious time for redemptive work for Jesus, Peter lived and ministered in the urgency of the moment. He urged those he loved to stand firm and remember what he had taught them so it could sustain them after he was "gone." ^[6]

Much of what Peter wrote to disciples in 2 Peter 1 are truths of great urgency that he shared as he faced his own death. (I urge you to read this whole chapter and feel the urgency of these words.) Their spiritual growth, perseverance in their faith, efforts to grow in Jesus, and commitment to stand firm all mattered more to Peter than his comfort or rescue from death. Wow, what a powerful personal testimony to leave them, as well as those of us who read them today!

So, what should we do with verses like this? For me, there are several vital relational truths we must take with us from the examples of Peter and Paul as they faced death:

• We must talk about important matters and listen to each other when loved ones are dying. These are crucial moments to show that we value the influence and words of others and can be our most opportune time to influence those we love.
• We should go back and read key passages from Peter and Paul, as well as Jesus, and pay careful attention to what matters most to them in their dying hours.
• We must realize that there are far worse things than dying physically. One of those "far worse things" is wasting our time in lukewarm living. Our Lord gave everything for us and calls us to follow Him in a lifestyle of commitment to the truths and life investments that genuinely matter.

We never know when death will intrude and temporarily separate us ^[6] from those we love. When we do have a sense of impending death, let's show the dying and those left behind the respect of sincere, urgent, and important conversations about values and the kind of life that matters eternally.