“What kind of people ought you to be..?”

2 Peter 3:10-13 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 done 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, where righteousness dwells.

None of us take kindly to people giving out advice about how we should live our lives. We all live in dysfunctional thought patterns and have unsociable behaviours, so we all need advice, but maybe not from each other.

The Apostle Peter is guiding us to think forward into the future with God. These few verses focus on the ultimate catastrophe which will certainly befall this planet- the end of all things. It will happen suddenly without warning. Everyone will be caught unawares.

The heavens above us will disappear revealing the gateway to eternity. The plains of heaven will be seen at last by the people of God as they are taken out of the judgement-all sins paid for by their Saviour Jesus.

The whole earth is “laid bare” everything is seen for what it is. The physical elements that constitute all matter in our world; the social structures; all will be revealed as broken and corrupt; the hearts of all people will be open for all sin to be seen and judged by the living God.

These same elements- the building blocks of planet earth will be consumed- destroyed by fire, as was promised after the flood. Everything we have seen and know here, will completely disappear with a great roar and the eternal kingdom of God will then forever hold sway.

With these things in view, Peter asks us a question… What kind of person should I be? If everything will be destroyed, what should I be spending time on? What should take up my thoughts? What are my desires and dreams to be centred on?

Peter gives us the answer, in case we are in any doubt..! We should be Holy people. We should be intent on living godly lives with eternity always in view.
Matthew 6:20-21 NIV
“…store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The things of this life, even the necessary things for living should not impinge on our devotion to the Father’s will.
Matthew 6:33 NIV
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

So a constant examination is needed of what we are doing and why we are doing it. Our eyes need to view Christ and His work for us and in us. Our hearts need the constant filling of the Holy Spirit, do that our motivations and direction are for God and not ourselves. Then we will grow and find security in holy lives that praise God continually as they see His work in them.
2 Peter 3:17-18 NIV
“Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”