Why should I show holy conduct with my life?

Holy conduct and godliness is the only way to true liberty and joy, and it results in the greatest glory at Jesus' return. All those who are waiting for that Day can hasten it by striving even more after holy conduct and godliness.

“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God . . . Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless . . .You therefore, beloved, since you know these things beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked . . . ” 2 Peter 3:11-12,14,17.

Now it is vital as never before to awaken each other to holy conduct and godliness. It is our only salvation. Ordinary people strive after everything except holy conduct and godliness, and they will meet their doom as a result.

Love what He loves and hate what He hates

Holy conduct is separate from everything that has to do with sin and impurity. Only the love of Christ can separate us so radically, and only in this love will we not be put to shame at His coming. If we love Him, then we will hate what He hates and love what He loves. No one should have any doubt on this point when he reads the Word.

Timothy had followed Paul's doctrine and conduct and was exhorted to exercise himself in godliness. We also should follow Jesus' and the apostles' conduct with keen interest, as well as the conduct of the other saints and God-fearing people—not study them on a human level, but follow them in spirit and in truth.

What is godliness?

What is godliness, or the fear of God? “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.” Proverbs 8:13. Godliness is fellowship with the Lord in this hate.

Godliness, or the fear of God, causes us to be firm and unshakable so that we are not carried along by the error of the ungodly and thus fall from our steadfastness. Apostasy rules in these days as never before. People are led astray and lead others astray. Everything is heading toward dissolution and lawlessness. They are seeking a liberty that does not exist. Instead of gaining liberty, they become involved in increasing chaos and misery and the end of all this misery will be the Antichrist, the lawless one.

Holy conduct and godliness is the only way to true liberty and joy, and it results in the greatest glory at Jesus' return. All those who are waiting for that Day can hasten it by striving even more after holy conduct and godliness.

“Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5.

It appears that there will be times of abundance before Jesus returns. People will build and plant, eat and drink, marry and give in marriage until the very day when Jesus returns. The love of money blinds people to the true and eternal treasures. In Noah's days, as well as in Lot's days, people were led astray by earthly things, and they met their doom. It was always the few who were saved. Let us be wholeheartedly along with the few who strive for holy conduct and godliness. Then we will by no means be put to shame when Jesus returns.