I have a question for you from the great Apostle Peter. He asks; “What manner of persons ought you to be?” But 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. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheles we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:10-13). This portion of scripture is often used as a prophecy related to what is termed “the end times.” Although we can view it in that context, I would like to present an alternate and equally important examination of this passage focusing on the words; “What manner of persons ought you to be?” The day of the Lord (which is in process) comes as thief; that is it comes without observation. It is a process and not an event. There is great noise in the earth today. All kinds of voices are shouting all kinds of things, but most lack spiritual weight or authority. The fire of God, that spiritual process whereby all that is not God within us is burnt up so that only what is pure remains, is at work. When His work is finished it will be a new day—the fullness of the Day of the Lord—and not only this earth but our earth (our bodies and soul) and not only the heavens but our heaven (our spirits) will be renewed in righteousness. Those of us who are looking for the day of God following after the day of the Lord should be asking ourselves; “What manner of person should I be in holy conduct and godliness?” Peter is interested in how we conduct our lives and in our lifestyle. Is your daily life conducted with holy conduct? And is your lifestyle a lifestyle of godliness? One final point related to the word manner. Manner is usually understood as meaning what kind of person should we be. The word is far more reaching and is used in the bible to ask other questions: At the birth of Jesus it is used to ask; “What manner of child shall this be?” At Jesus’ calming the seas it is asked; “What manner of man is this?” And the Apostle John asks us to: “behold what manner of love the father has given unto us?” Now Peter asks us what manner of people ought we to be. The answer to questions using the word ’manner’ only come with spiritual reflection. They are meant to help us envision a new lifestyle different from the one we experience in power and relationship. What manner of people ought we to be in the times in which we are living and the challenges that we are facing? What is our future? What is God’s purpose for us in this day? Are we meant to suffer with the world or are we destined to rise above it with understanding, power and godly privilege? We each possess a piece of the answer. When we assemble together these pieces begin to form a more complete picture.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 13:56:39 +0000
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