This question is asked in the view of the day of the Lord. 2Pe 10-13 These verses should be very sobering. Be honest, who knows when a thief is coming? How many people get robbed and say, "I should have seen this coming!" In reference to seeing this day coming Peter asks what kind of people we ought to be. Here are a few things that may be of help in determining what kind of people we ought to be.
First and foremost, since we temporarily live in a place that will be burned up and seek another place for eternal habitation we should live a life of preparation. We must be ready to go on to the place we desire to spend eternity. Again, I have adopted that saying of, "There will be no one surprised they are in Heaven, but there will be a lot of people surprised they are in Hell." Notice in verse 12 Peter says we are to be "looking for... the coming of the day of God." We should be looking for, preparing for, and desiring this day. The question is, however, what kind of people ought we to be? Let's enumerate some of things we ought to be.
We ought to be steadfast people. Steadfastness is one of the conditions of success in all we endeavor. A business owner who opens shop at his own whim and not at the same time everyday will not be successful, he will be bankrupt! Will a tree that is moved around weekly produce good fruit? Doubtful! The same with a Christian who is not steadfast and fellowships on their own whim. A Christian that gets hot and then gets cold, attends sometimes, and not steadfast will not produce good fruit! The early Christians were steadfast. Acts 2:42 Paul was steadfast. Phi 3:13,14 The Corinthians were exhorted to be steadfast. 1Co 15:58 We, as Christians, ought to be steadfast.
We ought to be prayerful people. I read this great illustration that is very applicable here. "A preacher, who was observing a man on the road breaking giant stones and kneeling to get at his work better, said, 'Ah, I wish I could break the stony hearts as easily as you are breaking those giant stones.' The man replied, 'Perhaps sir, you should start working on your knees!'" Maybe we all need to pray more. I read a book and did a study called "The Sweet Hour of Prayer" taught by Don DeWelt. What a smart man! In that study he said, "Some of the greatest lies are sang on Sunday mornings." He asked, "How many people sing the song 'Sweet Hour of Prayer' having never prayed for an hour?" We have a great thing in prayer, yet we never tap into its power. Prayer displays a trust, submission, and union with God. Christ even gave us a model prayer. How many people can recite it, but never ask to be protected from the evil one, supplied with their daily bread, or be not lead into temptation? We need to let our requests be known to God in thanksgiving. Phi 4:6 We need to be devoted to prayer in the same manner. Col 4:2 We, as Christians, ought to be prayerful.
We ought to be forgiving people. I ask you this, do flowers stop giving off scent when they are stepped on? NO! Paul commands us to forgive. Eph 4:32 If we desire to have our sins forgiven we must forgive others, as Jesus taught. Mt 6:14,15 How important do those verses make forgiving others? I am fearful for many according to what Jesus says in Mt 18:21-35. Notice, when the servant who was forgiven failed to forgive others he had all that he owed thrown back onto him! Today, people feel safe by saying, "I forgive but I don't forget." Be careful my friends!! We. as Christians, ought to be forgiving.
We ought to be soul winning people. If we are to be Christ-like, this is demanded because Jesus himself said that is why he came. Lk 19:10 Soul winning is a mark of wisdom. Pr 11:30 Some person won your soul to Christ. What someone did for you, you should do for others. Mt 7:12 We need to do more knocking on doors and less knocking on each other! We, as Christian, ought to be soul winners.
We ought to be happy people. There are to many mean muggin' Christians. A little girl asked he grandmother, "Grammy, is that mule a Christian?" The grandmother chuckled and said, "No, dear, why do you ask?" To which the girl replied, "Oh, just because his face is so long." Unfortunately, that is how many look at Christians. We should rejoice in the Lord. Phi 4:4 God wants His people to be happy and "made full with joy." Jn 15:11 Nothing on earth can smile! Diamonds a precious and beautiful, but can't smile. They can flash light, but not a smile. Flowers can give off a beautiful fragrance, but not give a smile. We, as Christians, ought to be happy.
We ought to be sacrificial people. Christianity as we know it began with a sacrifice. Jn 3:16 Jesus laid down his life as a sacrifice for mankind. Jn 10:11 Many early Christians died for their faith. The apostle Paul is a great example. 2Ti 4:6-8
Finally, we ought to be exemplary people. I love the old sayings, "I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day." "I would rather one walk with me than tell me the way." "Fine counsel is confusing, but an example is always clear." I could do this all day, but the truth is i love the last one. "Our works preach our faith." Jas 2:18 Jesus said we are known by our fruits not what we say. Mt 7:20 Peter said the way we live and the things we do, or living a Christian life, is an effective sermon. 1Pe 3:1,2 We, as Christians, ought to be examples.
Today, are you ready to be the people we ought to be? Are you ready to be steadfast, prayerful, forgiving, a soul winner, happy, sacrificial, and an example. Are you ready to live the life we ought to be living? Are you ready to be a Christian?
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
We must hear the Word of God: Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4
We must believe or have faith: Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31
We must repent of our sins: Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30
We must confess Christ before others: Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37
We must be immersed into Christ (baptized) Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38
We must be faithful: Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22
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