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What Manner Of Persons Ought We To Be?
2 Peter 1:5-11
The second epistle of Peter is filled with rich reminders throughout the letter.
For example, in 2 Peter 1:5-11, Peter emphasizes certain truths that are
essential to spiritual growth. He then continues in verses 12-15 telling them
why they should remember such things. First, the apostle says that he thinks it
is right as long as he is living to remind them of such things (2 Pet. 1:12).
Second, he states that he will soon depart in death and he will no longer have
the opportunity to remind them personally (2 Pet. 1:14). Third, Peter hopes that
even after his death, his readers would be able to call these truths to
remembrance (2 Pet. 1:15).
The battle-worn apostle closes his second epistle by reminding his readers what
type of persons they ought to be. After discussing the destruction of all
material things, Peter writes, "Seeing that these things are thus all to be
dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be..." (2 Pet. 3:11). This is an
excellent question for every Christian to consider. Peter does not leave us
guessing as to what manner of people we ought to be. He has already written that
we have "escaped from the corruption that is in the world" (2 Peter 1:4). He has
established the fact that the child of God is "bringing in" various
characteristics "along side" their faith (2 Pet. 1:5-7). Therefore, it should be
no surprise when Peter states that we should "give diligence that" we "may be
found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight" (2 Pet. 3:14). This is
the answer to the question "what manner of persons ought ye to be?" Let us take
a closer look at each aspect of Peter's answer.
People of Peace
God desires for His people to be people of peace. The thought here is that
Christians are people who are in harmony with the will of God. When we submit
and obey God the result will be peace with Him. The apostle Paul makes a
contribution to our study when he states that Christ "came and preached peace to
you that were far off..." (Eph. 2:17). We were once "far off" and separated from
God because of our sins. We lived in harmony with what we thought was right in
our own sight. Paul explains this as walking according to the course of this
world, according to the prince of the power of the air, and living in the lusts
of our flesh (Eph. 2:2-3). Through Jesus Christ, however, we are brought nigh to
God through His blood (Eph. 2:13). A mighty transformation takes place when the
old man of sin is buried in baptism. The old man dies and a new man comes forth
to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4). This "newness" of life is a result of
people who now live in harmony with the will of God. The careful student will
observe that this must be a constant process. We must live in harmony with the
will of God in order to be pleasing unto Him. This is the type of person God
would have us to be.
People Without Spot
God also desires that we are to be without spot. It is interesting that Peter
characterized those who are opposed to Christ as having "spots" and "blemishes"
(2 Pet. 2:13). They are individuals that have been stained due to their
rebellion against Christ. In total contrast to these soiled teachers who "walk
after the flesh in the lust of defilement" (2 Pet. 2:10) stands the Christ, whom
Peter describes as "without spot" (1 Pet. 1:19). Jesus lived a perfect life of
holiness and we are told to follow His example. In 1 Peter 2:21-23, Peter
states, "For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither
was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when
he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously." How can we live without spot? The word of God instructs us to
follow the example of Jesus and commit ourselves to God. We sin when we fail to
follow the supreme example of Christ. When we do sin it is important that we
repent and begin following His example again. Let us make the all important
decision to forsake the ways of sin and live lives without spot.
People Without Blame In His Sight
What will be the result of living in harmony with the will of God and living
spotless lives? Peter states that we will be "blameless in his sight" (2 Pet.
3:14). This is our goal. We want to be right in the sight of God. The good news
is that the Bible reveals how we can accomplish this goal. We do not have to
guess. We do not have to submit to human wisdom. We must simply listen to God's
word as He tells us what we must do to be blameless in His sight.
The lifestyle that God desires of us does not come easy for some. It takes
diligence (2 Pet. 3:14; 1:10). As we are diligent in our holy and godly living
the fruit that is produced is glory, honor, and praise toward God and Christ.
The question of the hour is "what manner of person are you?"
By Jay Taylor
From Expository Files 12.8; August 2005
