Peter the apostle warned his
readers that the heavens, its elements, and the earth were going to
melt away with a fervent heat in “the day of the Lord”. In
light of this ominous alert, how should we be in this world? In
chapter three and verse eleven Peter begins his answer to that
question. He wrote:
Seeing then that all these things shall
be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be
in all holy conversation and godliness,
The
verse begins, “Seeing then that
all these things shall be dissolved,”
Peter draws his audience's attention toward the impact of this great
promise of destruction. He says in a conclusion like way, “Seeing”
or “since, because of, on account of” the fact that “all
these things” - the earth, the
heavens and the works and elements within them, will be destroyed,
“dissolved”, then
what? Because these cataclysmic events will occur, it should stir
those who think about them for any time at all.
The
verse goes on to say, “what manner of persons
ought you to be in all holy conversation and
godliness,” Peter's question
references the behavior and attitudes of those who know these things.
He asks “what manner of persons”
or what kind of people “ought”
we to be in “holy conversation”
which is “holy living, conduct, behavior and deportment”? He adds
“and godliness”
which is “reverence, respect, and piety toward God.” Because “day
of the Lord” will come as
sudden as a “thief in the night”
and without warning, every action, every word, and every attitude
should come under scrutiny.
The
idea that the Lord could return in a moment's time should make
everyone who thinks about it examine their lives. Are their attitudes
that we would be embarrassed to have when He returns? Are there
certain behaviors, actions or words with which we would not like to
be engaged should His coming be imminent? As we ponder the
significance of Peter's words to the church, perhaps it will be a
good reminder to examine ourselves once again and be sure that we are
in alignment with God when the timing of this things comes to pass.
Next
time we will see learn more of the motivation to have holy
conversation and godliness, so read ahead, and we shall join together
then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
No comments:
Post a Comment