Break It Down

“Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness” (v11).

The breakdown. No, we’re not describing some beat up hoopty along the side the highway. We’re talking about that part of a song where the band breaks it down. That’s when everybody drops out except the drummer and bass player. It’s usually preceded by the lead singer giving the musical command, “Break it down now!” The Apostle Peter lets us know what we should do as Jesus gets ready to break it down. When Christ returns for His spectacular encore, He’s going to burn up and blow apart the universe. He’s going to break it down. What should I do if we now for a fact that this is going to happen? Build a bomb shelter? Head for some undisclosed location? Pete says we’re to do just the opposite. We need to live lives that look different. We need to live lives that point to Jesus. 

Since God is going to break it up, break it down, and break it apart, my life should stand out.

Under the inspiration of God’s Spirit, Pete once again predicts how this is all going to go down. “All these things are thus to be dissolved” (v11). “These things” are the “heavens…heavenly bodies…and the earth and the works that are done on it” he told us about in the previous verse. Jesus is going to burn it all up and blow it all up in the greatest pyrotechnic display the universe has ever seen. Three times in three verses Rocky says stuff will “dissolve” (3:10-12). This is the itty bitty Greek word luo. In this usage, it means to break up, loose, disperse, and destroy. It’s the idea of breaking something into its component parts and pieces. Luke describes the disintegration of the ship carrying Paul to Rome when “the stern was being broken up (Gr. luo) by the surf” (Acts 27:41). When Christ gets busy at His comeback, He’s going to break it up, break it down, break it apart.

Instead of warning us to run for cover, Jesus calls us to live “lives of holiness and godliness” (v11). So what exactly is this idea of holiness any who? The original text actually says “holy conduct” or “holy behavior.” Holiness is one of those things in the Bible that can be just a little hard to wrap our brains around. Does it mean completely without sin, 100% pure, and totally flawless? You betcha. But holiness also means completely different, absolutely separate, and totally unlike anything else. So buckle up, here’s the hard part. Does my life look completely different from everyone else? Is what I do and say totally unlike the rest of the world? Am I being squeezed into the mold of the world and culture around me or is God remaking me from the inside out (Rom 12:2)? With Jesus’ judgment a stone cold, lead pipe lock, my conduct should stand out from the pack. 

Since God is going to break it up, break it down, and break it apart, my life should stand out.

Pete also pushes us toward “godliness” (v11). The original Greek word actually means “good worship.” This isn’t something to say after the church service when the band was really smokin’ and they rocked your favorite worship tunes. Worship is not limited to the part of the service when the music is playing and we’re singing. Every part of our lives is praise. This is a powerful reminder that everything we do is an act of worship. Everything. Absolutely everything. Your job. If you’re a follower of Jesus, He’s ultimately the One you report to. Your commute. Yeah, you might want to stop standing on the accelerator so that Jesus fish can hang on. Your marriage. Are you serving your spouse and kids or are they just privileged to have supporting roles in your world? We do it all as an act of worship. Pete’s buddy Paul told the folks in Colossae to keep God front and center no matter what you’re doing. “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col 3:17). It’s living a life of good worship. 

Since God is going is going to break it up, break it down, and break it apart, my life should stand out.