Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,”
2 Peter 3:11
The Greek from this verse reads “holy conduct and godliness”. Below we examine the thought the Greek definition brings to these two words from Helps Word Studies ~
Holy ~ 40 hágios – properly, different (unlike), other ("otherness"), holy; for the believer, 40 (hágios) means "likeness of nature with the Lord" because "different from the world."
The fundamental (core) meaning of 40(hágios) is "different" – thus a temple in the 1st century was hagios ("holy") because different from other buildings (Wm. Barclay). In the NT, 40 /hágios ("holy") has the "technical" meaning "different from the world" because "like the Lord."
[40 (hágios) implies something "set apart" and therefore "different (distinguished/distinct)" – i.e. "other," because special to the Lord.]
Conduct ~ anastrophḗ (from 303 /aná, "down to up" and 4762 /stréphō, "turn") – properly, up-turning; (figuratively) change of outward behavior from an "up-turn" of inner beliefs (presuppositions, etc.).
Godliness ~ 2150 eusébeia (from 2095 /eú "well" and 4576 /sébomai, "venerate, pay homage") – properly, someone's inner response to the things of God which shows itself in godly piety (reverence). 2150 /eusébeia ("godly heart-response") naturally expresses itself in reverence for God, i.e. what He calls sacred (worthy of veneration).
Holiness is something we intuitively try and define as cleanliness. You can see from the above definition that cleanliness would be the result of someone who has a proper response to the things of God because they are ‘different’. Peter writes to the believers about their conduct, their lifestyle, reflecting their belief system.
The church is coming into a great knowledge and understanding of last days theology. A greater emphasis is being placed upon the return of the Lord. With many of the worlds crisis events occurring, believers are asking, “Is this the time the Lord will return?”
Let’s highlight 1 Thessalonians 5:22-23 and Matthew 24 for consideration. Jesus said that ‘wars, rumours of wars, famines, earthquakes were simply the beginning of sorrows.’ We have definitely entered into a great time of sorrow for the multitudes who are experiencing loss in any capacity. Yet, Thessalonians tells us the end will come suddenly, like a thief in the night, while the world says ‘peace and safety’.
I think the greater danger the church is facing in North American is the time of peace and safety that lulls one into complacency and sleep. We are admonished in Matthew 25 to be the wise virgins who are watching and prepared (sufficient oil to not only light our lamps but keep them burning). The bridegroom arrived in the darkness (at midnight) so oil for their lamps were necessary to light the path to Him. The foolish ones were caught unprepared and thus entrance denied.
All that to say, assurance that the Lord is returning is seen in our verse today. Destruction and judgment will occur and Peter writes to the believers of his time reminding them of ‘what manner of man they ought to be’. This, of course, must be relevant for us today.
While waiting and looking, what manner of man ought we to be that could possibly hasten his return? If he is slow concerning His promise, Peter writes it is because of the patience He is exercising towards US, not wishing for any to perish but all to reach repentance.
If what I ‘ought to be’ isn’t reflecting the lifestyle that my words proclaim, repentance is required. Preparation begins with a shift in mindset allowing change. This begins with alignment, agreeing with Him. Following that we simply walk out the obedience that shows we are Christ-like in everything we say and do. Or as Roman’s asks; do we presume upon ‘the kindness and forbearance of our God not knowing it is his goodness that leads us to repentance?’
Peter concluding this letter writes in verses fourteen and seventeen with an admonition that we are ‘to be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish and at peace.’ We are to know of these unfolding events beforehand and take care that we are “not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose our own stability. BUT continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
“To him be the glory both in and through his church, now and to the day of eternity.
Amen.”