The Apostle Peter is prophesying concerning Christ’s return and the events surrounding the end of the world. He declares that our world “will be dissolved” and that the “elements will melt with fervent heat.” This complete undoing of our physical world leaves an important question: how should we live?
The answer is immediate: in “holy conduct and godliness.” Everything else will dissolve, burn or melt away. Carnal desires and compromised lifestyles fixed to the condemned structures of our fallen world will not stand before the presence of Son of God in all His righteousness and holiness. All the material acquisition, status, and symbols of human accomplishment will vanish. The portion of our lives that are built on the wood, hay, and straw of pursuits lacking eternal value will be consumed (1 Cor. 3:13).
We are called to live in the hope of His coming, not to dread His judgment. Therefore, let us build our lives in obedience on His Word, so that our conduct reveals our love for Jesus and opens the way for others to love Him too.
