2 Peter 3:10-14 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons 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 will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
In my evangelistic witnessing for Christ, I listen to what secular and some religious people have to say about their personal desires, particular wants and perceived needs. Almost all state that they want to go to Heaven when this life is over, but in this life, in the here and now, many say that they want to do whatever they want to do, whenever they want to do it, wherever they want, however they want, with whoever they want. They are living humanistic lives that determine what is right and wrong for themselves and have soul-authority over everything they think, say and do by their freedom of choice with no higher authority of the God to hinder them. They desire to be saved by God, but are a law unto themselves [Romans 2:14]. That won't fly. Why?
They may believe in Jesus as Savior, paying for their sins and getting them into Heaven, but God and Jesus are not Lord of their life. Like the “Rich Young Ruler” of Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18, “push come to shove”, when told to “go all in”, forsaking everything else and follow the Lord’s Word, Will and Way, precepts, statutes, commandments and Moral Law with holy conduct and godliness, they walk away sorrowful, for they self-servingly believe that they have sovereign authority, power and possessions on the throne of their lives and love blindly living a lifestyle that is unrighteous in the eyes of the Lord. There is a God, and He is not you or I.
In the end, it all goes away and we stand before our just and holy God to give an account of our lives for reward for righteousness or punishment for unrighteousness. Knowing this fact, the holy conduct and holiness of the people of God is lived out on this side of eternity and demonstrated (1) by being people of faith, trusting in God and knowing whose you are. Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (2) by being people of purity. 1 John 3:2-3 tells us, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
(3) by being people of promise. We need to anticipate with joy the sure promises of God and the promise of Christ’s return for us. (4) by being people of purpose. 1 Timothy 4:7 instructs us, “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness [keeping yourself spiritually fit].” (4) by being people of persistence. Revelation 2:25-26“hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power.” And (5) by being people of progress. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
1 Peter 1:15 proclaims, “like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.” People of God, walk in the Spirit and live a holy life that is pleasing in the eyes of the Lord. Never let your heavenly Father down.
In Christ, Brian
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