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BE MODERATE
MONDAY, JUNE 12
Philippians 4:5

2 Peter 3:8-13

 

“Let your moderation be

known unto all men.”

 

BE MODERATE
 
The next command was for their moderation to be evident and known to all men. It was an instruction for them to be temperate in their passions, both with regard to their dealings with their fellow men, and to their earthly pursuits. They were not to be extreme in any of their actions, except when it was with regard to their passion for the Lord. In all other instances, whether it was in how they reacted to the adverse circumstances and difficult people they had to deal with, or in seeking after the things of this world, they were to exercise restraint with a calm and gentle demeanour.
 
Why was this important? The explanation comes in the second line, where Paul reminded them that the Lord was at hand. This was to remind them of the imminence of the Lord’s return.
 
When we are reminded that the Lord is coming soon, this ought to set things in perspective. We realise that all the things around us are temporal and will soon pass away. Our priorities will shift, for we no longer seek after the things of this earth but are now able to set our affections on the things above. We would have a calmer, more settled outlook on the things that happen around us. In the grand scheme of things, our career, our studies, our hobbies, really do not matter that much, and we should not pursue after them with such extreme passion. There should be nothing on this earth that is so attractive and alluring to us that we would pour all our energies and efforts into, save that of our service to the soon coming Lord. We would remember that our purpose is not to enjoy ourselves or to indulge in the excesses of this life, for we look forward to the return of Christ.
 
Thus, we realise that many things which we worry about really ought not to be our concern. Instead, we must focus on that which is most important – our relationship with the Lord, and our testimony for Him.
 
THOUGHT: What areas of my life need to be moderated?
PRAYER: Father, may Thou help me to live with eternity’s values in view, and not to pursue after the things of this world.

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