* What is it to Live a Holy and Godly Life? *
"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 3:11)
The picturesque phrase "to live holy life" occurs only twice in the New Testament, both in Peter's epistles, one in his very first chapter, 1 Peter 1:15; the other in today's verse.
"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;" (1 Peter 1:15)
This distinctive New International Version- rendering does not really mean "clean speech," but assumes the older, more precise meaning of "living," namely "behavior," especially behavior which involves other people.
The Greek word translated "holy" primarily implies "dedicated to God."
So the holy living in such a way that our entire manner of life is oriented to honor God and to be an example of having that love of God and for God in our lives.
These two exhortations of Peter tell us why we should live this way.
The first incentive is simply the holiness of God Himself:
"for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16)
We have become children of God through faith in Christ.
"As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." (1 Peter 1:14)
The second incentive given just before the words of today's verse is the ever-imminent return of Christ, that will one day come.
"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." (2 Peter 3:10)
Incentives, both past and future, are also given for holy living in the present!
Peter's epistles, stressing his vital concern that Christians ought to demonstrate "to have the love of God" in their lives.
To Be holy as God is holy, is not a Pius life. Not to be perfect, but to know that our lives are transformed when we come into that personal relationship with God.
To know that we are loved, and to love God, to love others. Its the most precious thing to have.
Passages of Scripture are from the New International Version Bible (NIV).........................
"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 3:11)
The picturesque phrase "to live holy life" occurs only twice in the New Testament, both in Peter's epistles, one in his very first chapter, 1 Peter 1:15; the other in today's verse.
"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;" (1 Peter 1:15)
This distinctive New International Version- rendering does not really mean "clean speech," but assumes the older, more precise meaning of "living," namely "behavior," especially behavior which involves other people.
The Greek word translated "holy" primarily implies "dedicated to God."
So the holy living in such a way that our entire manner of life is oriented to honor God and to be an example of having that love of God and for God in our lives.
These two exhortations of Peter tell us why we should live this way.
The first incentive is simply the holiness of God Himself:
"for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16)
We have become children of God through faith in Christ.
"As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." (1 Peter 1:14)
The second incentive given just before the words of today's verse is the ever-imminent return of Christ, that will one day come.
"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." (2 Peter 3:10)
Incentives, both past and future, are also given for holy living in the present!
Peter's epistles, stressing his vital concern that Christians ought to demonstrate "to have the love of God" in their lives.
To Be holy as God is holy, is not a Pius life. Not to be perfect, but to know that our lives are transformed when we come into that personal relationship with God.
To know that we are loved, and to love God, to love others. Its the most precious thing to have.
Passages of Scripture are from the New International Version Bible (NIV).........................
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