What we do arises from what we are
July 27, 2008 (Sunday)
The Apostle Peter, in his second letter, wrote, “Since everything will be destroyed, what kind of people ought you to be?” That’s a very good question, wouldn’t you say? What kind of people should we be?
Peter answered his own question and said we should be holy people. That means we are God’s own people, His special possession, and we are here to accomplish His purpose for us. We are at His disposal. A hymn we don’t hear these days as much as we once did is, “Onward, Christian Soldiers!” It’s an idea we need to take to heart. A soldier learns the chain of command and obeys his superior officers. Christian soldiers are directly responsible to the Commander-in-chief, God Himself. We are here for the Lord.
He also said we should be godly people. That means that God is part of our lives, “24-7.” We desire, in the words of an old song, “only to be what He wants me to be every moment of every day.” We believe in the Lord, because life makes no sense without Him. We love the Lord and we serve the Lord. We should be godly people.
Peter also reminded us that we should be hopeful people, “looking forward to the day of God.” We should never give up on the promise of God that He will always be in charge. We should be eager to see the fulfillment of His promises regarding the end of this age, knowing that ultimately His promises will be kept as we enter the new heaven and the new earth.
What we do arises from what we are: holy people, godly people, and hopeful people. Becoming a Christian means becoming a new person, from the inside out, in Christ. Do you know Him?
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2 Peter 3:10-14 (NIV):
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.