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We will now refer briefly to the two passages in II Peter:
"And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation (conduct) of the wicked"
(II Pet. 2: 7).
In verse 8, Peter gives a picture of righteous Lot, hearing and seeing the unlawful and
wicked deeds of the dwellers in Sodom and Gomorrha, who was vexed (or tormented)
thereby. In the present day we live in an immoral world, and to some extent share with
Lot the vexation that comes through seeing in the newspapers, or on television, the evil
practices that have become commonplace. Surely we live in perilous times.
"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye
to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the
coming of the day of God" (3: 11, 12).
Peter gives a picture of the destruction of the heavens and earth by fire. As there are
various hopes, we may meet Christ and acknowledge Him as Head of the Church which
is His Body, or we may have a place in the Heavenly Jerusalem (Christ being the chief
corner stone). Others may meet Him as King in His Kingdom ("Thy will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven"), but whatever our hope or relationship with Christ may be, we
all share the hope that we shall see Him face to face. And when we see Him face to face,
shall we rejoice or shall we be ashamed? What manner of conduct is worthy of our
hope? If we live in close communion with our Lord Jesus Christ, we should become
more like Him and others should see the reflection of Christ in us. What manner of
persons should we be? Let us remember that God foreknew us, and He predestinated us
to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8: 29).
To complete our study, we now turn to the remaining five passages:
"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word
of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation (conduct)"
(Hebrews 13: 7, A.V.).
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God; consider the
outcome of their life, and imitate their faith" (R.V.).
We should support our spiritual leaders both in prayer and in practical ways. The
ministry of our leaders is based on the Word of God, but here Paul is saying that ministry
consists firstly of spoken ministry of the Word, and secondly, of a manner of life or
conduct which is a vital part of ministry. The behaviour of our leaders should be such
that we should endeavour to imitate them and glorify God in our manner of life, or
conduct.
"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a
good conversation (conduct) his works with meekness of wisdom" (James 3: 13).
In this chapter, James has been writing about the unruly tongue. It is a small member,
but what great things it can achieve! How much damage can be caused by a little fire!
(James 3: 5, 6). The tongue gives expression to our thoughts, both good and bad. May