Living in Light of Eternity: Pursuing an Excellent Life

Living in Light of Eternity: From Judgment to Glory

In our previous devotional, we looked at the coming end of the existing earth—the Day of the Lord when the heavens will pass away with a great noise and the elements will melt with fervent heat. We explored what the prophets foretold and what Peter describes about that sobering day of judgment. Today, I want to focus on the believer’s response to these truths. Knowing a fiery end is coming, how shall we live our lives today?

Peter’s question is searching: “What manner of persons ought you to be?” The Greek suggests an exclamation more than a question—something like, “How astoundingly excellent you should be!” This isn’t a vague suggestion for general self-improvement. It’s a urgent call to live in a radically different way because we know what’s coming. Christians have a clear understanding of what was (our redemption), what is (our present reality), and what will be (our eternal future). This knowledge should fundamentally shape how we live every single day.

Eagerly Hoping for Eternity

Notice Peter’s language: “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.” The word “hastening” means to eagerly hope for, to anticipate with longing, to desire earnestly. This is the posture of believers living in light of eternity—we’re not just waiting passively, we’re actively hoping, eagerly anticipating, joyfully expecting the day when everything changes forever.

But observe the shift in terminology. In our previous devotional, we discussed the “Day of the Lord”—that day of judgment when God intervenes to judge sin and destroy the current creation. Now Peter speaks of the “Day of God”—referring not to judgment but to the splendid eternal state of the New Heaven and New Earth. The “Day of man” will finally be over. Human rebellion, corruption, and sin will come to a definitive end. Satan’s influence on the earth will be forever removed. And God will create everything new with eternal glory where righteousness dwells. This is what we’re eagerly hoping for—not just escape from this world, but the arrival of the next one.

The New Creation

“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” That word “nevertheless” is significant. Despite all the sobering talk of judgment and fire, despite the destruction of the current creation—we have hope. We look forward to something better, something eternal, something perfect.

This new creation will be characterized by righteousness, glory, holiness, perfection, and beauty. Why? Because the Day of God will have come and removed every spot and blemish, making all things new (Revelation 21:5). Think about what that means:

No more sin to struggle against. No more inner conflict between flesh and spirit. Righteousness will dwell there naturally, perfectly, eternally. We won’t be working to maintain holiness—we’ll be living in it as our native environment. No more curse on creation; no thorns, disease, decay, or death; no more natural disasters, pain, or suffering. The creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to corruption (Romans 8:21). Everything that makes this world broken will be gone, and everything that makes God glorious will fill every corner of the new creation.

This is our hope. This is what we’re living for. And this certain future should shape our present in profound ways.

Living As Future Residents

If we’re destined for the New Heaven and New Earth, how should we live now? Peter gives us the answer: “in holy conduct and godliness.” Not as a burden but as preparation. Not as joyless duty but as excited anticipation. We’re future residents of a realm characterized by righteousness—shouldn’t we start living like it now?

First, living in light of eternity means pursuing holiness eagerly. “Therefore…what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.” Holiness isn’t optional or merely suggested—it’s the natural response to knowing where we’re headed. We’re not trying to earn our place in the New Earth (that’s secured by Christ alone), but we’re preparing ourselves for a home where sin cannot exist. We’re practicing for eternity by pursuing godliness now (1 Peter 1:15-16).

This means actively putting to death the deeds of the flesh (Colossians 3:5); fleeing temptation and pursuing righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22); being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Not out of fear or obligation, but out of eager anticipation—we’re becoming who we’ll be forever, starting now.

Second, living in light of eternity means holding this world loosely. “Since all these things will be dissolved…” Everything you can see, touch, and possess in this world is temporary. Your house, your car, your possessions, your investments—all will be burned up. Not to discourage you from working or providing for your family, but to free you from obsessing over what won’t last (Matthew 6:19-20).

When you remember that everything material is temporary, it changes your priorities. You invest more in eternal things—relationships, character, the gospel, God’s kingdom. There is a desire to give more generously because you can’t take it with you. You serve more freely because earthly status means nothing in eternity. You worry less about accumulating and more about becoming.

Third, living in light of eternity means hastening its arrival through evangelism. Peter connects our lifestyle to “hastening the coming of the day of God.” How do we hasten it? By preaching the gospel so that the full number of God’s elect comes to faith (Romans 11:25). God is waiting for the last of His children to believe before ushering in the new creation. Every person who comes to Christ brings us one step closer to the Day of God.

This should create urgency in our witness. People around us are either heading for the Day of the Lord (judgment) or the Day of God (glory), depending on their relationship with Christ. Living in light of eternity means we can’t be casual about evangelism. We tell others not just to be nice but because we know what’s coming, and we desperately want them to experience glory rather than judgment.

Fourth, living in light of eternity means growing in Christlikeness daily. We’re preparing for our eternal home by “growing and becoming more like Christ every day.” The person you’re becoming now is who you’ll be forever—perfected, yes, but recognizably you. Are you cultivating the character qualities that will fill eternity? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)?

Every time you choose obedience over sin, you’re practicing for eternity. Every time you extend forgiveness, show mercy, or love sacrificially, you’re becoming more like the person you’ll be forever in the new creation. You’re not earning your place there, but you’re preparing yourself to enjoy it fully.

The Hope That Transforms

This is what it means to live in light of eternity. Not morbidly focused on this world’s end, but joyfully anticipating what comes next. Not fearfully trying to avoid judgment (Christ already bore that for us), but eagerly hoping for the day when righteousness dwells everywhere and God makes all things new.

This hope transforms how you spend your time, your money, your energy, and your life. It changes what excites you, what disappoints you, what motivates you, and what satisfies you. It makes you willing to sacrifice temporary comfort for eternal reward, to endure present suffering for future glory, to invest in what lasts rather than what fades.

Peter’s point is simple but profound: if you know the current world is temporary and the coming world is eternal, live accordingly. Be astoundingly excellent in holiness. Hold material things loosely. Urgently share the gospel. Daily become more like Christ. Because you’re not just living for this world—you’re living in light of eternity, preparing for a home where righteousness dwells and God has made all things new.

The Day of God is coming. How astoundingly excellent you should be as you wait for it!

Reflection Questions

1. If you truly believed everything in this world will be dissolved by fire, what would you change about how you spend your time, money, and energy?
2. Peter says we should be “hastening” the Day of God with eager hope. Do you genuinely long for the New Heaven and New Earth, or are you more attached to this present world?
3. In what specific areas of your life do you need to pursue holiness more earnestly, knowing that righteousness will characterize your eternal home?
4. Who in your life needs to hear the gospel before the Day of the Lord comes? What’s keeping you from sharing Christ with them?

Prayer

Consider the certainty of the New Heaven and New Earth where righteousness dwells. Thank God for this coming glory and ask Him to help you live in light of eternity starting today.