How Then Shall We Live?

“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” 2 Peter 3:11-12

As we observe the world around us, we cannot help but notice the continual worsening of the condition of this world. The signs are all around us that Jesus is coming again soon. I know that some will say that we have been making this claim for a long time now. It is true, but that does not make it wrong, only closer.

Since we have so much in God’s Word about the return of our Lord, and we know that He is only showing long suffering desiring that none should perish, then what manner of life should we live? Peter encourages us to consider our lives and what others will see in our lives in light of the soon coming of Jesus. We know that all of this world will be done away, but does our life show this?

Are we pointing others to Jesus by the manner in which we treat the things of this world? Are we looking for the greater gain here, or are we looking for that great day; the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

I don’t mean to imply that we should just give everything away and move to the wilderness somewhere, but, what is our attitude towards this world and the things of this world? If we tell others that we are looking for and hasting unto the coming of our Lord, do they believe us because they see that we are not attached to the things here? Or do they think we are lying to them because we seem to be overly concerned with what we can gain from this world?

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2

Affection is our care and concern. As we come to understand that we are risen with Christ, we will come to realize that we care and concern is for the heavenly things, because that is where we intend to live with Him.

I, for one, am very grateful for God’s many blessings, including the material blessings, but I am constantly reminded by God’s Word that the material blessings are temporal, while the spiritual blessings are eternal. What God blesses us with here materially, are intended for us to use to His glory. We must remember that everything we have comes from our Father, and we cannot take credit for any of it.

How gracious our Lord to constantly remind us of His great love and His blessings, and remind us that He is coming soon. How important that we live in such a manner that others realize the reality and urgency of knowing Jesus?
Gordon Crook