…where righteousness dwells.
Summary: Peter tells us about a new heaven and a new earth and then tells us that righteousness will dwell there. How can this be? What will this look like? Scripture gives us clues that help us understand God’s promise of new life in him.
Righteousness is a slippery word. It can be a bit like a slippery fish. On one hand, it means doing what is right in God’s eyes. On the other hand, it can mean doing what we believe is right or whatever we feel is right at the moment.
The reason for the two types of righteousness is that we are human. We can define righteousness as being right in our own eyes, or we can let God define righteousness (Romans 3:10). If we are uncertain, if we stand on a boat that is rocking with the waves of uncertainty. The slippery “fish” is going to wiggle (James 1:8). Only if we stand on the Rock of Jesus is righteousness satisfied and certain (Romans 3: 21-22).
In the new heaven and earth (2 Peter 3:13a), there is no more human self-righteousness. The only righteousness that dwells in the new heaven and earth is God’s righteousness. How can man survive in that kind of world?
On our own, we cannot. We tend to be self-centered. Generally speaking, our thoughts are about what we want rather than what God wants. Jesus, of course, was different. He was the only human being who ever lived, whose thoughts never strayed from what God wanted. If our God was a god of Justice only and did not have Mercy, Jesus would be the only resident of the new heaven and earth. Fortunately for us, Jesus does not want to live alone. He wants you and me to live with him on the new earth.
So how does that work? How can people who are prone to substitute their own righteousness for God’s live with a righteous God?
Scripture explains it this way:
First, “God’s dwelling place is now among the people” (Rev 21:3). When God lives among his people, there will be no question about what it means to be righteous. God himself defines what it means. Here in the “old” heaven and earth, we need faith to see God (2 Cor 5: 7). In the new heaven and earth, God will not be hidden from us.
Second, in the flesh, man cannot see the face of God and live (Exodus 33: 20). This means something else has to change so that we can be in God’s presence.
In Genesis 3, we read, “… when you eat from [the forbidden tree] your eyes will be opened, and you will [know] good and evil.” There was a change in humanity at that point that resulted in our spiritual death and estrangement from God.
Before the first sin, all Adam and Eve could see was good. God himself had declared everything in the Garden was good (Gen 1:31). There was only the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that they were forbidden to touch, and even that was good to look at (Gen 3: 6).
When Adam and Eve sinned, mankind was changed. We died spiritually (Genesis 2: 16-17) and we could see evil (Genesis 3: 5). Having the ability to “see” evil is our downfall! Who can see evil without thinking it? Who can think evil thoughts without being accused before God? (Matthew 5: 21-22, 1 John 3: 15)
At least two things will be different in the land where righteousness dwells. One is that evil will be set aside (Rev 20: 14-15). The wheat and the chaff will be separated (Matt 3:12, Luke 3:17) and the distress the unrighteous cause the righteous (2 Peter 2:7) will end. The other is that the light of God’s presence will fill us completely (John 9: 5, Luke 11: 33-36). Filled with God’s presence, there will be no room for any darkness.
Because of these two changes made possible by God’s authority and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we will be ready to live where righteousness dwells. Our righteousness will be at peace and complete because we will be with our Lord Jesus.
Application: Be aware of the thoughts that pass through your mind. Consciously choose to turn away from those that are unworthy of God’s children.
Food for Thought: How would you explain the difference between wickedness and righteousness to a ten-year-old child?
I think i would explain it like this:
Righteousness is doing what is good in the sight of the Lord.
What is good in the sight of the Lord is to love God with all of your heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Loving God means reading His Word, recognizing Him in Your life, and giving Him the most special place in your heart. Loving your neighbor means speaking to people in kindness and understanding. Giving and accepting help when it is needed.
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Wickedness means doing wrong and meaning to do it. Totally ignoring God and anyone else, and just doing things to please yourself even if it hurts others. You can see wickedness in your life because when you try and talk to God, your wickedness becomes like “an elephant in the room.” Even if you try and talk about other things, all you can see is the elephant.
Leviticus 5:5 When anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned.
Psalm 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Well said, Chris
Chris,
Well said! I appreciate the approach you have taken and the verses you have turned to. I think that would be very effective with the little people that I know personally.
Just like when I’ve been asked to practice my testimony, it doesn’t turn out well. I can’t do it as practice, only in the moment.
I can think of Palms 119, and righteousness being the love for what God has said is right. We won’t live perfectly but we can learn about His laws and ways. But the wicked will hate God’s laws/rules.
I like Chris’s description of wickedness as “meaning to do it”…. accidentally doing something wrong or hurtful, we say we are sorry so that others know we didn’t mean to do it and next time we can try to remember not to do that. But when we do those things on purpose, and don’t apologize, it hurts others, it makes God sad, and it makes others not want to do things with us.
Anyways, it all would change depending on how I relate to the kid.
A –
I agree with your observation. “Intent” is important. In fact, that goes to the heart of wickedness and love. Sometimes we do things that are well intended and they go sideways and people get upset. We say “sorry” in those situations, too. It is when people intend for things to go wrong that the terms ‘evil’ and ‘wickedness’ apply.
I think I would keep it is simple as possible with a ten year old child. Wickedness is doing what is bad. Righteousness is doing what is good. God tells us what is good and bad. We need to listen to Him from what He says in the Bible and we need His help to do what is good since we all have bad in us. Jesus makes us good in God’s sight because the good He did is given to us when we believe in Him.
Rich,
I like your point about listening to God. That is very important for every 10 year old to understand (and every adult, too!).
Sometimes simple is better, but I’ve found that kids can handle more than we think. There are several things that I wish had not been dumbed down for me as a child…….. I guess maybe that has led to me to over explaining simple topics….. But that is also part of the ‘in the moment’ thing too, as to whether it is the right time for simple or extended depth.
I love your emphasis on God telling us good and bad. What He says goes.
01-10-2022, 2 Peter 3:13b, How would you explain the difference between wickedness and righteousness to a ten-year-old child?
I think I would like to enter into a short conversation. The attention span of a 10 year old could be short.
Get the attention and ask.
Have you ever thought about the difference between good and bad? And explain:
To be righteous is to do good, always tell the truth. Like God does.
To be wicked is to do evil, bad and always lie. Like the devil does.
Then ask:
Which would you like me to be, and which would you like to be?
Then ask :
Why??
Ron,
Excellent technique! Questions are always engaging.
Unfortunately (and this is a side issue) some people see questions as controlling and put their guard up. I don’t know how to get around this situation…
Flanking them from the side. Or try a different approach like a question that you answer.
Instead of out-ranking them, out-flank them…
I like it! 🙂
Good point Jeff. I was thinking of the child being one of my own, questions were not a problem. I have worked in AWANAS where we had study booklets with questions and used persuasive questioning with adults in working environment. I think the key is to listen with our eyes as well as our ears. Just a thought.
Good thought, Ron.
The specific situation I had in mind is a rare one. Fortunately questions are usually very appropriate for engaging people in thought.
I know this guy that uses questioning each day. Interesting fellow.
LOL! 🙂
Touché!!
Proverbs 4: 19 should be considered, and other verses like it. Do the wicked who are in darkness always know when they are being wicked? Or is there some spiritual ignorance?
Rich,
That is a great point! There is a danger in judging a person as “wicked” as opposed to discerning the concept of “wicked.”
It is not our place to judge other people’s heart (Matt 7: 1). But we do need to understand the difference between the darkness and the light.