HASTEN HIS COMING

09/16/2023

"Therefore, since all these things [the atmospheric heaven and the earth] will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?" (2 Peter 3:11-12)

It is cast in stone that this earth, the land, skies, and seas will be obliterated and replaced with a new one. Isaiah prophesied about it (in Isaiah 65:17 and Isaiah 66:22). John received a revelation about it (in Revelation 21:1). Part of the final judgment of God on the ungodly would include the demise of everything you can now see with your physical eyes.

And since everything is going to be obliterated, the Apostle adjures you today to embody two things: holy conduct and godliness. Now, this may seem like a play on words, but it isn't. Holy conduct and godliness are not the same. In fact, the former is dependent on the latter.

So what is holy conduct? It is the carriage of yourself in a manner void of sin. Your faculties that might have been lured into sin are no longer functional. Sin becomes so distasteful that you cannot endure it, let alone engage in it. Someone might be wondering how this is even possible.

It is possible by godliness. Godliness is piety; the maintenance of your connection to God. It is the maintenance of the required level of connection with the Lord through prayer. As a matter of fact, the more you pray, the more aligned you are with God and the less susceptible you are to sin.

But something else happens as you engage in holy conduct and godliness, the Bible says you are "looking for and hastening the day of the Lord." In other words, the more radically we devote ourselves to Abba, the more quickly His day will come.

And as an aside, the day of God for us is a day, prophesied throughout scripture, when we will reign with Jesus.

Saint, there is a personal daily quota of time, you need to spend in prayer, without which holy conduct will be impossible. That quota of time differs from person to person, and it is always increasing as you grow in God. This is why Paul admonishes his son, Timothy, and by extension, you, to "exercise yourself toward godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7). But if you would find yours and put in the time, everyday, you will be looking for and hastening the day of the Lord.

Have a great day today.

Faith-Filled Confession

I live as one who is expectant of the day of the Lord. Therefore, I use the dynamics of godliness to effect changes in my conduct as a saint of God, knowing that as I do this, I am hastening the coming of the day of God. Oh come, Lord Jesus. Hallelujah!

Prayer Point

Pray Acts 16:14. That hearts be open to receive the ministry of God's Word and The Holy Spirit.

ONE YEAR READING PLAN: Proverbs 28-29; 2 Corinthians 7