2007 was a unique year complete with the typical ups and downs. But the year has been given a new distinction. According to the National Climatic Data Center, 2007 had the warmest land surface temperatures since 1980 when global record-keeping began. The NOAA also revealed that the year was the 5th warmest when considering the entire earth’s surface.
The USA‘s contribution came partly from an August heat wave that set more than 2,000 new daily high temperature records. Eight states found August setting all-time records while 2007 was also the 10th-warmest year in the USA dating back to 1895 when data keeping first began.
It is no secret that global warming is constant news and a prominent political issue. Some feel man’s behavior is recklessly endangering the planet. Others site that the increased temperatures are just part of a normal cycle that occurs every so often over time. Only time will tell which side has the more accurate view.
While scientists and environmentalists stare at their thermometers, the Bible speaks of a period of unparalleled and unfathomable global warming. In his second epistle, Peter speaks of the coming ‘day of the Lord’. Chapter 3 and verse 10 sets the stage for the event. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat: both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." That is God’s idea of global warming!
But the dissolving of the planet, while fascinating and shocking, is not Peter’s primary point. The real issue surfaces in the next few verses – but especially verse 11. "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?"
The context of the final overheating of man’s home is Christian living. Peter here challenges the follower of Jesus Christ with the ethical considerations of Christ’s sudden appearance. The two terms used to describe how believers should behave are ‘holy’ and ‘godliness’.
While it may seem impossible to actually live a holy life in this life, Peter affirms God’s lofty standards for those who know Him. 1 Peter 1:15-16 reads, "But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’" A crucial word in the passage is "all". The small but highly significant word leaves little doubt about the consistency of character expected for all that are empowered by God’s Holy Spirit. Many of the godly attributes of the new man in Christ can be quickly reviewed in some detail in Colossians 3:12-17.
Global warming, real or not, is of limited importance when compared to the fervent heat that will someday fully incinerate the blue planet. But while the concept is on the political and scientific front page, its highest value should be as a constant reminder for the Christian of his future home and his present walk.
Bill Breckenridge
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