Answer: We ought to live holy and godly lives, (verse
11).
MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Everything, God says, will be destroyed--the earth and
everything in it. If we have believed and obeyed God, then we
know that the universe is of short duration. That should
affect our thinking about the importance of establishing values and
priorities. Do we want the pleasures of the "here and
now," or do we seek the eternal rewards promised to us as
Christians? If we truly seek eternity with God, then we ought
to live holy and godly lives. We do NOT want to miss the
goal! We strive to live holy lives (separated from sin and to
God). We strive to live godly lives (devoted to the worship
and service of God).
Romans 6:19-23: "I put this in
human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as
you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and
to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to
righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to
sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What
benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now
ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you
have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the
benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal
life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
2 Corinthians 7:1: "Since we have
these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from
everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness
out of reverence for God."
Ephesians 4:22-24: "You were
taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old
self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made
new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and
holiness."
1 Timothy 2:1-4: "I urge, then,
first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving
be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority,
that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and
holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, Who wants
all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the
Truth."
1 Timothy 4:8: "For physical
training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,
holding promise for both the present life and the life to
come."
1 Timothy 6:11: "But you, man of
God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, endurance and gentleness."
Titus 2:11-13: "For the grace of
God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches
us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and
to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present
age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious
appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus
Christ..."
Hebrews 12:10, 14: "Our fathers
disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God
disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His
holiness....Make every effort to live in peace with all men
and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the
Lord."
1 Peter 1:13-16: "Therefore,
prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope
fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is
revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil
desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He
Who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is
written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"
2 Peter 1:3-4: "His divine power
has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our
knowledge of Him Who called us by His Own glory and goodness.
Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises,
so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and
escape the corruption in the world caused by evil
desires."
