“What Manner of Persons?”

THE Apostle Peter wrote, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” (II Pet. 3:11) In this chapter Peter tells us of the destruction of the world by water at the time of the Flood, and forecasts the destruction of the new world which then began, and states that this will be brought about as a result of our Lord’s return. “Nevertheless we, according to his promise,” he adds, “look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”—vs. 13

The signs of destruction which Peter described are now all about us. The present “heavens and earth” are even now being dissolved, thus Peter’s admonition concerning holy conversation and godliness is most appropriate. “What manner of persons ought ye to be,” he asks, and the “persons” he has in mind are those who follow his admonition as set forth in the first chapter of this epistle. Actually, the entire epistle is concerned basically with the return of Christ and the establishment of his kingdom, and in the first chapter Peter outlines the qualifications of those who will be found worthy to enjoy an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”—II Pet. 1:10,11

In verse 4 of this first chapter Peter writes, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” But these exceeding great and precious promises can help us to be partakers of the divine nature, and enjoy an abundant entrance into the kingdom, only if we use them properly. Peter says we are to add to the faith inspired by them certain character qualifications, and that it will be by possessing these that we shall never fall from divine favor, but have that “abundant entrance” which we so much desire.

Supplement Faith

Peter writes further: “Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”—II Pet. 1:5-8, RSV

What a well-rounded description the Apostle Peter thus gives us of a true Christian character! Here is described the manner of person every follower of the Master should strive to be, especially in view of the evidence we see of the overthrow and destruction of the various selfish elements of this present evil world. No Christian ever had the right to make the world his goal, and the utter futility of such a course today would reveal a serious lack of vision concerning the Lord and the truth of his kingdom. “What manner of persons”: First there is faith, for faith “is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” But faith, if it is genuine—that is, a moving faith—will lead to “virtue”; that is, to purity and goodness.

And then there are all those other elements of a true Christian character—“knowledge” of God and his truth; “self-control”; “steadfastness”; “godliness”; “brotherly affection,” and “love.” Peter explains that whoever lacks these things is “blind and shortsighted and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”—vs. 9, RSV

“Therefore brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election.” (vs. 10) Ours is a heavenly calling. Paul addressed those to whom he wrote as “holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling.” (Heb. 3:1) Paul also speaks of our “high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Heb. 3:14) Our calling is to joint-heirship with Jesus in his kingdom, to live and reign with him a thousand years. But this calling has to be confirmed by our own faithfulness in living up to its terms.

The Scriptures assure us that “the gifts and callings of God are without repentance”—or change. It is true that he never fails to fulfill all his good promises, but we can fail to enter into that which he has promised if we are unfaithful to the terms of our calling. And it is especially important to keep this in mind now when the elements of this world are becoming more and more chaotic, for the time is short. Should we not indeed consider the admonition, “What manner of persons ought ye to be?”

Peter explains that if we confirm our “call and election” we shall never fall. This does not imply that we will never make a mistake, never falter temporarily through weariness or otherwise. But it does mean that God will keep us within his loving embrace, and will not permit us to fall from his favor because of our inherited imperfections. He who knows our frame, and remembers that we are dust, will provide the needed grace and forgiveness, and we can go on in the narrow way rejoicing.

Peter continues: “So there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (vs. 11, RSV) This is the great goal, or should be, of every dedicated Christian. This will be the attaining of that precious prize of our high calling. This will be the attaining of the “crown of life which fadeth not away.” It will be the attaining of the “glory of God,” and occupying a place with our dear Redeemer in that kingdom which will bless all the families of the earth.

How wonderful it will be to gain an abundant entrance into that kingdom, that long-prayed-for kingdom which ultimately will lead to the doing of the Father’s will throughout all the earth, even as it is done in heaven! This is the kingdom which is symbolically described as “new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” That will be the righteousness of the will of God, and when we pray for his will to be done on earth let us make sure that our own hearts are emptied of self, and that his will has a free course in our lives.

This is the “manner of persons” we will need to be in order to be in the kingdom with our Master. It means not only a passive holiness and refraining from that which is impure, unjust, and unholy. Many in the world attain to this standard. But for us the “manner of persons” who will qualify for an abundant entrance into the kingdom are those who also are laying down their lives in divine service—making known the kingdom Gospel, laying down their lives for the brethren, and devoting their time, strength, and means to the one thing of running for the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus.

The “manner of persons” described by Peter implies a high and demanding standard which can be met only by the devotion of our all to the Lord. We often sing, “My goal is Christ, and Christ alone,” but in actual practice how often do we ask ourselves whether or not Christ would interest himself in many of the things which concern us, especially those pertaining to creature comfort and success?

So Peter was right! The mundane things of life are today more uncertain than ever. The only reliable thing is our hope of the kingdom. Everything else is being shaken. But let us see to it that we are the “manner of persons” that will be found worthy to enter into that kingdom—which is not only our hope, but the hope of the world—that “new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” May Christ, and Christ alone, truly be our goal.

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