August 14, 2023: What Sort Of People Ought You To Be?

"... what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness," (2 Peter 3:11, ESV)

It is not a question of performance. It is a statement of reflection, knowing that something has the potential to happen real soon. Earlier, Peter states, "The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." This means that it will come unannounced and totally by surprise. You cannot prepare for it. You can only be prepared for it.
Since we know that the Day of the Lord is coming, we choose to live ready for that day. John has a beautiful way of saying what Peter says, "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." (1 John 3:2–3, ESV)

Holiness and godliness are not a work that we do, but a state of existence of being in Christ. Because we know when He comes, He will come in holiness and godliness; we choose to be like Him. Therefore, we rid ourselves of all things that defile us and put on Christ. As Paul said, "We put off the old man and clothe ourselves in Christ Jesus, in holiness and righteousness.” This is the sort of people we ought to be!