“…the LORD is not slack concerning his promises as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2nd Peter 3:9
To those questioning the LORD’S promise of His coming, Peter informs his readers that the LORD is faithful, yet delays, because He does not want anyone to perish but change their mind about Jesus. Yet,he reminds them that judgement is coming, like a thief in the night and in which this earth and all things therein will be burned up. Therefore, since all of these things will be dissolved, he asked, “…what kind of person should we be regarding godliness and holy conduct as we look for and hasten the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (2nd Peter 3:11)There is a day coming, in which the world that we live in and the works that we conduct while here, will end. Knowing this, what kind of person should we be regarding godliness and holy conduct?
Conducting ourselves in holiness is to do so with moral purity and cleanliness. However, identifying what I must do to be holy and then trying to do those things will not result in holiness. Making a list of what I must abstain from and trying to follow what is on my list will not yield holiness. There must be motivation and appreciation which only comes from godliness.
In all uses of the word godliness, there is the idea of godly fear, piety, reverence, and respect. The specific word used in Peter’s epistle is the word yoo-seb-iah, and it speaks of piety, specifically regarding the Gospel scheme.
The Gospel scheme is simply a plan of action, a design or formula, that originated in the mind of GOD. The Gospel plan of action; the Gospel formula is something that the Bible teaches us to revere. It is not man’s formula, but the plan that GOD decided on from eternity. Godliness should be our response, meaning we respect the Gospel scheme; we revere the plan of redemption. Respect for the GOOD NEWS formulated in the mind of GOD and enacted by Jesus on Calvery, is the motivation needed for holy conduct.
The Gospel scheme, is Jesus Christ crucified for my sins, buried, and resurrected for my justification. (Romans 4:25)
Our conduct should reflect reverence for the perfectly executed Gospel plan, with eager anticipation for the LORD’S return. “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.” 2nd Peter 3:10
“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” 2nd Peter 3:13
Even though all these things will one day melt with fervent heat, we hope for something better. We anticipate new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells. Not another heaven and earth like we know now, but rather a new home where GOD dwells.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1st Thessalonians 4:16-18
Prospering Pathway 
Leave a comment