Many will follow their depraved conduct …
Summary: Peter challenges us to examine our priorities. Do we share God’s priorities as we should?
So what does “depraved conduct” mean? How is God’s perspective different than ours? Let’s ask him:
“This is what the Lord says: ‘What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.’” (Jeremiah 2:5)
God does not approve of murder, or adultery, or anything else forbidden by the Ten Commandments or the other laws given to Moses. Yet, there is something more fundamental that God is concerned about.
The First Commandment (Exodus 20: 1-7) and the Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22: 34-40) both point to the importance of honoring God before anything else. “Anything” means just that; anything. There is nothing in heaven or on earth that is a greater crime than not honoring God above all else.
This is hard for us humans to understand.
If a human were to make such a demand, we would see it as vanity. Yet, we know that God is not vain. God understands that being in a right relationship with him is a foundational requirement for everything else. The reason that honoring God above all else is important is that ultimately, nothing else matters. If you are not right with God, then any good you have done in this life is for naught.
When we ask the question, “What is ‘depraved conduct’?” we humans have a lot of answers: Sex trafficking, murder, child abuse, adultery, and robbery, to name a few. Yet as odd as it seems, from God’s point of view, none of these measures up to the crime of ignoring or dishonoring God.
This does not mean that God is not offended by these lesser crimes. It only means that we should never forget what is most important. If we have a favorite sin that is top on our list of offenses, we are on treacherous ground if we place that crime above the crime of dishonoring God.
Application: Review your own spiritual priorities. Where does honoring God fall on your list?
Food for Thought: What can we do to better see the world through God’s eyes?
His world view is given to us in His word. Know His word and know His thoughts. Know His word and know His will. The caution is that we can know His word and not know Him. We need to seek God and walk in the Spirit. Knowing His word is not the final goal – knowing the author is. While knowing the author is the goal, that is hard to do without knowing His word. To see the world from Gods point of view is more than knowing His word, but knowing His word is necessary to see the world from His point of view.
Rich,
Thank you! GREAT summary of knowing God through his Word!
“Knowing His word is not the final goal – knowing the author is.”
So true!
The Pharisees knew the Word extremely well, yet failed to recognize the Author when he showed up at their door! The same trap still waits for us. Yet Father has made it easy to know Him through his Word and Spirit. If we invite Him in to our heart, His Spirit takes up residence and fills the black void that existed there with His Light.
10-22-2021, 2 Peter 2:2a Part 2, What can we do to better see the world through God’s eyes?
Accept Christ and welcome the Holy Spirits work in our hearts as we live our remaining days, daily dying to self and growing in Christ. Study and apply God’s word to our hearts and we will find life looks very different as we look at it through God’s eyes. If we look to God for everything, the good times get better and the tough times bring growth, and increase the strength of our faith. Everything changes as we learn to look at life and people and events through God’s eyes.
GODS WORD TELLS US:
As a natural person we do not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to us. The god of this world has blinded our minds keeping us from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ which we are not able to understand because they are spiritually discerned. All that is in this world, the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, pride in possessions, is from this world and darkens our understanding. We are alienated from the life of God because our hardened hearts keep us in ignorance.
1 John 2:16, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 4:18
Jesus Christ has sent the Holy Spirit who has revealed the true nature of sin, coming judgement and the source of righteousness freely given to all who will receive. Paul on the road to Damascus is an example to us of one convicted and sent out to spread the word of God to others.
John 16:8-11, Acts 26:14-18
When we turn to Christ, the veil is removed from the eyes of our hearts which are made pure allowing us to see God. They are now enlightened and we know the hope to which He has called us. We become a new creation as the old is made powerless. We are crucified with Christ and it is no longer our old self, but Christ in His resurrected power who lives in our hearts. The life we live in the flesh is no longer controlled by this physical world because we live by faith in the Son of God, who loves us and gave himself for us.
Matthew 5:8, 2 Corinthians 3:16, 5:17, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 1:18
Ron,
Thank you for the excellent study on what God’s Word shows us! I especially appreciate your statement that “the good times get better and the tough times bring growth” when we put God first in our lives. So very true!
I actually have a answer that worked for me. It has been truly amazing and a real eye opener to how I’m starting to see things. I’m still learning and agree with the other comments. I personally have found out what really gave me a new outlook on this world, shined light on certain things, gave me a broader scope. ……. is the first thing we should all turn to for questions. Prayer. I prayed to see Gods beauty, not worldly beauty. To see what matters to Him. To see things the way He sees them. Now I think I’ve only been given only what He knows I can handle because this world is in a very sad shape. It has made me aware of scripture and life. How much sin and evil are part of this world, or just all the lies that are of this world and even of myself. But He has showed me beauty. Real beauty. Beauty in His creations. His masterpiece. I’m thankful that He has shown me the heart of His daughter, letting me know what matters is what’s on the inside, Her kind and gentle spirit. I know any physical beauty is fleeting, at least in ” our eyes “. God gives a married couple a better way to see eachother in this world over decades, yet still be attracted to eachother.
Hmmm…
It appears, Mr. T, that you have acquired wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
The wisdom to turn to God in prayer. The knowledge of truth that God has revealed, and understanding that this world and its beauty is fleeting, but that there is a deeper beauty that God has hidden inside.
Thank you for sharing this today! 🙂
Someone one said about marriage, You need to be aware of what to look for in a spouse it can’t just be physical attraction, you have to look deeper than a pretty face, because looks are fleeting. Beauty is only for a short time. Always remember what’s important. What matters the most. Its whats on the inside that matters. A lovely heart, a kind and gentle Spirit, and Her love for God. What’s inside is the true gift from God…..Now anything beyond that is a bonus.
Excellent T. I agree with Jeff. You are acquiring wisdom, knowledge and understanding. And you are sharing it with us. I guess that is also an answer to prayer, since it is what you always ask prayer for in regards to your walk. Thank you for sharing. I am thankful for you! And knowing Jesus is not going to happen without prayer. I am blessed by you and I know many others who are as well.
Thanks Mr. T, I really appreciate your comments. You have come a long way brother. Enjoy the peace of God as you grow and walk in His Kingdom.