Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
Summary: The stage is a marvelous metaphor for life. The actors fill a costume and a role. Then, when the play is over, they exit the theater. In the same way, this life is a theater for our souls. One day our play will end. What then?
All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players… (W. Shakespeare, “As You Like It”)
Stage plays allow people to “act out” what they are not. I am not a shepherd, but if I join the Christmas pageant at church, I can be one in the Christmas nativity play.
When I was in school, I was in several plays. I played the part of a cowboy in a play called “Belle of the West,” I was the Ghost of Christmas Past in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” and later on, I was the King of Siam in “The King and I” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. I have written a play as well and occasionally enjoyed working on sets. I even remember directing “Romeo and Juliet” for a class play once in grade school.
Shakespeare’s metaphor of the world being a stage is appropriate. We are all on a stage. We each have a costume. We each have a part to play. The play itself, however, is only a small part of the process.
Before a play can happen, someone has to write the script. Then someone has to want to produce it. Whether it is a school production or a professional production, the process is the same. The producer finds a director. Other people are engaged to find people to play the parts, provide costumes, make sets, manage sound, and perform music. Then you have to let people know that you are going to have a play and where it will be. This means you need a place to perform, an audience who will come, and a way to make all of this come together at the proper time.
When the play is over, there is still work to be done. The costumes are put away; the stage is struck; the theater is cleaned. Often there is a celebration with the cast and crew. People like to talk, and the play gives us something to talk about. And then we remember.
Our lives are a play as well. God has provided the stage and the sets. We provide the acting and the drama. To some extent, we write our own scripts as in an improvisational drama. Then, one day, the play is over. The stage is turned over to someone else, and we are left without a costume and without a stage.
This is the part of life that is confusing for us. How can this be? Shakespeare ends his soliloquy about life this way:
Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
“Sans” means “without.” Without everything material is what Shakespeare means. We leave all of our physical parts here after our final act. When the curtain descends on our life here on earth, when the lights go down and the applause dies out, we begin a new adventure. Exactly what that “new adventure” is depends on the part we played in this life.
Did we choose to live in the darkness or the light? Did we choose right or wrong? Did we imagine that we were alone, or were we aware of God’s presence? Did we come to know Jesus?
While we are still in the play, while there is still time to make choices, Peter asks, “What kind of people ought you to be?”
While we still breathe, we have a choice. While our hearts still beat, we have opportunity. We can choose to believe in God. We can choose to repent (change our minds) about putting ourselves before others. We can bow our heads before Jesus and invite him into our hearts and minds.
None of these changes what we have been. What changes is who we are inside our costumes. What changes is where we end up after the play is over.
Application: Consider what part you want to play from this point forward.
Food for Thought: Peter is speaking to believers in his letter. In answer to his question, what “kinds” of believers are there to choose?
I’m a believer and I know quite a few other believers. I’m not sure about choosing different kinds. I do know that I’m not perfect, I have my own sins, I’m not better than anyone else, but I do know Jesus and I’m trying to be a faithful follower of Jesus. I’m wanting to be a little Christ. I call myself a Christian. I lived a sinful lifestyle, but that was before I knew Jesus. Now I’m trying to live a Christian lifestyle, to live in holiness and godliness. I’m trying to devote myself to things that will last beyond judgment.
John 4:23,
About the play and what part do I hope to play? Kind of character to be? I hope that I’m humble enough to realize that my part in the play is short. To know that this play and my time on the screen isn’t about me, my job, my roll is to point to the real star. Jesus. So if I’m able to make others look at Him I’m fine with cleaning up after the show.
Tim,
I like the direction you are headed! Your comment is grounded in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. 🙂
Great Job Tim!
What “kinds” of believers are there to choose? I believe there are three: hot, cold, and lukewarm. Paul wrote to the Church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:15-17 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
I believe this to mean that some believers actively search a closer walk with the Lord, some have accepted His gift but are “just livin’ their life”, and some are “living a double life” (as my grandma would put it).
Chris,
Interesting analysis! I appreciate the inclusion of “lukewarm” because it describes a very real hesitancy many of us feel to “get involved.”
I believe that there aren’t really different kinds. There is one Way, there is one Faith, there is one Salvation. One is either a follower of Christ or not. We like to stretch things because people who haven’t believed but claim Christianity live among us. Those who will say, “Lord, Lord” but does not have a relationship with our Lord.
James says, “faith without works is dead” meaning works don’t save you, but they tell you what’s going on, on the inside. So if there aren’t any good works in your life, do you really believe what you say? This leads me to believe that the Revelation 3 passage is not 3 types of Christians, but the works of people. Those who believe and follow through with their actions are “hot”. Those who claim a faith, but do not give up their former life are “lukewarm”. And those fully entrenched in a worldly life are “cold”. God is telling them that the lukewarm aren’t really choosing and they need to follow through on their claims, before they are rejected.
A –
Well said!
Perhaps the difference between your perspective and Chris’ is one of timing. In Rev 3 Jesus is warning people who want to move in the right direction but are not moving very fast. In the passage from 2 Peter, everything has been “destroyed” and there are no second chances.
Hmm, interesting question and interesting responses. I learned something valuable from each response so far. I would only add that I want to be a follower of Jesus that sees Him as Lord of my life as I live by the Spirit and exemplify the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5: 22 – 25.
Brother Rich,
You set a good example in that department! 🙂
01-03-2022, 2 Peter 3:11a ,What “kinds” of believers are there to choose?
Jesus addresses 7 churches in Revelations which leads me to wonder if their are 7 kinds of believers. I’ve settled in on 5 responses to the liberty we have in Christ. Our freedom or liberty in Christ never means the freedom to do as we please, but is the power to do as we should, demonstrating the character of Christ as His life is reproduced in us by a Spirit filled, Word filled life.
1. The Weaker Brother or sister:
One who is weak in faith, knowledge, conscience, or will. Lacking conviction, biblical understanding of God’s grace, or is misinformed. They will measure, condemn or praise themselves by human standards, or act on the example of another without biblical knowledge.
Romans 14:1-2, 14:14, 22-23, 1 Corinthians 8:7-12
2. The Stronger Brother or Sister:
Strong in faith, conviction, live in Gods Grace and rely on their Bible to determine right and wrong. Confident in their faith as they understand and exercise their freedom, liberty, being confident they are pleasing our One Judge, Jesus Christ.
Romans 14:14, 22, 15:1, 1 Corinthians. 8:7, 10
3. The Pharisee/Believer:
Those who lack or refuse to accept the biblical understanding of the truth that believers have died to the Law and been made alive by their faith in Jesus Christ. They live by rules rather than conviction believing they find favor with God as they follow or avoid specific activities which are based in the traditions or teachings of men.
Romans 7:4, Galatians 2:19
4. Stumbling Block Believer:
One who has all the characteristics of a stronger brother or sister, but will disregard biblical principles regarding questionable things and are quick to judge others. They are weak possibly lack the love and true concern we are taught to demonstrate toward one another in the New Testament.
Romans 14:13
5. The Servant-Type Believer:
A stronger brother or sister who will set their liberty aside out of love for others. One who sees the value of ministering to unbelievers as greater than their personal reputation and is willing, eager to dine with sinners.
Romans 15:1
Ron,
Thank you! Very interesting study!
Maybe you should consider a sixth type?
The Analytical-Researcher-Bible Studying-Jesus loving-Believer.
🙂
I think I know a guy that would fit that slot very well.
I was rushed posting and did not take the time to proof read how it was going to show up on this page. My sheet showed the 1st paragraph was fine, somehow it garbled up when I hit POST COMMENT tab.
It looked fine to me. I can fix it though…
Thank you Ron for your insight. I’m really encouraged with everyone’s thoughts on this blog and at the end of the year I hope we can remember to take a look back at our spiritual growth over the year like R2T2 suggested earlier. I’d like to thank everyone for last year helping me with wisdom knowledge and understanding of the Word and a thank you in advance for this year. You all are a blessing to me, helping me follow Christ always.
Tim,
Thank you for sharing these words! You are an encouragement to me as well. And thank you for the reminder to look back at our personal growth over the past year. I had already lost sight of that idea, and it is a good one!