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You Ought To Live Holy Lives

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.” – 2 Peter 3:10-11

How good are you at living a holy life?

Passages like today’s can be tricky. This is from the NIV Bible and it makes it sound like, “You better live holy and godly lives because Jesus is coming again with fire and judgment!” In a way that is what it’s saying, but not necessarily in the way many people would hear it. So, what does it mean?

Let’s look at the context and another translation to help us understand.

Surrounding Context
Before we get to the meaning, let’s first take a look at the surrounding context. At the beginning of the chapter, God (through Peter) warns the readers (who are assumed to be Christians) that in the end days there will be scoffers who say, “Where is the promise of his coming?” In other words, “Do you REALLY believe Jesus is coming again? It’s been so long. Can’t you see it’s all myths and fairytales?”

Then God says not to be deceived by those scoffers. Jesus is definitely coming…and coming with fire. After which, God explains why Jesus hasn’t come, yet:

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:8-9

So, God is being patient so more people will be saved.

Does He mean so that more people will start living right?

No!

the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:22-23

and

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” Romans 3:28

So, what then?

Keep reading. Though, I’m going to switch to the ESV because the phrasing is different and more in line with most translations.

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” – 2 Peter 3:10-13

We are waiting according to His promise, not only His promise of His return but His promise of holiness and righteousness according to faith, not by works of the Law.

So, Yes, live holy and godly lives, lives of faith which trust in the promises of Jesus for our righteousness and salvation.

Dear Jesus,

Many people around me don’t believe that You are returning. Some don’t believe You ever lived. Protect me from the scoffers. Keep me firmly in the faith, trusting Your promises. May my life be holy and godly by Your hand according to Your promise and may my works reflect the holy and godly person You have made me.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt