But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, — 2 Peter 3:10-11 KJV
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. 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 NIV
Reflection
That lost virtue of holiness is the Christian’s representation of God as the holy and just Father. Peter’s words should shock us into reverence in an age when grace is so easily cheapened, when anything goes as long as we want to be friends with Jesus; the holy commitment to set our lives apart from the evil and malevolent sludge that defiles our world; and to offer our bodies, hearts, and minds to do his will and reflect his character.
My Prayer
Heavenly Father, make me holy and righteous so that I may obey your will and reflect your character as I extend grace to others. I pray that the rhythms of my life, the contents of my intellect, and the ways I express myself all glorify and honor you. In the name of Jesus, I humbly beseech you. Amen.
