And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)
The world’s system is corrupt, and it’s designed to put you into a mold to rebel against God. However, the life that God has for you does not fit that mold. God created you for a purpose, and He wants to be glorified in your life (Jer. 29:11).
Once you receive a new nature in Christ, the Spirit of God will guide you into all truth (John 16:13). When you discover your true purpose in life, it will motivate you to move forward and press beyond the conditions of this fallen world. However, it takes a humble heart to grow spiritually into the person God called you to be.
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)
The Potter and the Clay
But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)
God molds us with His Word and fashions us in a loving way. He is a God of righteousness who desires for us to conform to His will. It is the power of God’s Word that will mold your heart and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
This is a process that will progress over time if you remain committed to the Lord. The Bible says in John 17:17, sanctify (purify) them in truth; Your word is truth. When you know the truth, then you will have peace and be empowered to overcome sin and this fallen world.
Philippians 4:7 says, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Holiness and Obedience to God
Therefore, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” (2 Cor. 6:17-18)
Since our strength comes from the Lord, our obedience to God is key to winning every battle. The Old Testament is filled with examples of how Israel rebelled against God and began serving false gods. However, when Israel repented, then God raised up a deliverer and restored them.
The Israelites were the chosen people in whom God brought forth the Messiah (Jesus Christ). In Him, God raised up the ultimate Deliverer for all mankind, who delivered us from sin, Satan, and the world.
Since Christ is the One who justified us, He qualifies as our Lord and Savior. Therefore, we are called to live by His righteous commands. All Scripture speaks to us today, as God’s Word is a living Word for daily living. His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him (2 Pet 1:3).
God informs us in His Word of the danger of sin because He loves us. We must remain sober to the truth and understand that unrepentant sin leads to destruction. It is not God’s will that any man should perish (2 Pet. 3:9). By grace, we have been given the power to overcome sin, through faith in Jesus Christ who called us to glory and moral excellence.
Perilous Times
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. ( 2 Timothy 3:1-5)
The Bible says that in the last days perilous times will come. The current events happening around the world lets us know that we are currently living in the last days. In addition to the pandemic, we have wars, rumors of wars, extreme weather conditions, earthquakes, civil unrest, and mass shootings.
Although the world is spinning out of control, do not allow your heart to be shaken. These current conditions are signs of the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The Day of the Lord Is Coming
Let’s look at these key Scriptures found in 2 Peter 3:3-11 (NLT).
3Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4 They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”
5 They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. 6 Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. 7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.
8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. 11Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live.