Given the fact that this world is destined for judgment by fire, how should we live? Peter answers that question very simply: we must live holy and godly lives. We are to be different from the pagans around us, seeking to honour God with our decisions rather than serving ourselves.
Being different from people around us is always a challenge. We do not like being different and often try to bridge the gap between us and those who do not know Christ. In the Western world, this involves explaining why you do not want to sleep around, why you do not want to get drunk, and why you want to set aside the Lord’s Day (Sunday) to worship and rest.
As Christians, we belong to Christ and have been set apart by him, made holy (1 Peter 2:9). God has transferred us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his Son (Colossians 1:13). Since we are citizens of heaven (holy, Philippians 3:20), we must now live as citizens of heaven (pursuing godliness and becoming more and more holy, 1 Peter 1:13–16).
The clearest example of what it means to be holy and pursue godliness is the life of our Saviour Jesus Christ. He perfectly obeyed God throughout his life, submitting to the will of his Father, speaking the truth in love, acting with moral integrity and compassion. He never lusted, never spoke a harsh word and always respected those around him. The Spirit wants to conform us into his image (Romans 8:29), having prepared good works for us to walk in so that we may emulate Christ (Ephesians 2:10).
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,