Another reason why we must live holy lives is the simple fact that in the new creation there is no place for sin and selfishness. We will dwell with God in glory forever if we belong to Christ, therefore it makes sense to live now as we will live then. In addition, when we live holy and godly lives in the present, we show the world that we are looking forward to the day of Christ’s return. When we forgive rather than take vengeance, when we give to support the ministry of the Word rather than spend money only on ourselves, when we are generous with our time and energy, when we pursue purity—these things all testify to the fact that our hope is not set on pleasure in this world; we look forward to the world to come. Through these good deeds our neighbours will ask us questions (1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 3:15) and they can thereby be won for Christ.
13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.