Good morning,
The death of George Floyd has caused our nation to revisit the discussion on social injustice. Protests over police brutality have been marked by peaceful assemblies and those bent on destruction. The result of the destruction has been looting, crimes against police, and murder. Innocent people, who were just coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, have been affected.
Why? The root cause of this violence is sin. It is rebellion against God, His purposes, and His love for mankind. Neither side in this conflict seems to recognize God’s control.
However, if you think this is a new phenomenon, you would be wrong. God through the apostle Peter gave us a graphic picture of this two thousand years ago.
This week we will look at 2 Peter 2. We will begin with the root of the problem found in Genesis 3. Then we will see how the false teachers of Peter’s day caused rebellion and destruction. They too were trying to destroy those who worshipped God.
Their deceptions (2:18-22)
Deceptive in their methods (2:18)
“For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.”
Deceptive in their promises (2:19)
“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”
Whose later end is worse than the beginning (2:20-22)
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
There are legitimate reasons for protest. When injustices happen, people should speak up and share their concerns.
When the protesters begin to deceive the people, promise them things they can not provide, then they cause damage to the original message.
In 2 Peter 2, the false teachers had been exposed to Jesus. They understood His teachings. However, they thought they had a better way. They began deceiving the people and pulling them away from Jesus. The people evidently were not grounded in God’s word and were easy prey.
That is why believers in Christ must be well trained students of God’s word.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Summing up our study of 2 Peter 2. The root cause of our problems is sin. The false teachers are the agent of disruption. Jesus Christ is the solution to the sin problem. God’s word gives us alternatives to how we live life. The Bible is God’s instruction manual on how to live life.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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