Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
Summary: When injustice and wrong teaching seems to infiltrate the church, God is there. His words to us in Peter’s letter seem to say, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”
This is now the second time Peter has mentioned the consequences that the false teachers will suffer. (The first mention is at the end of verse one.) I have been told that when God repeats himself in the Bible it means that he is emphasizing a point. If two mentions are an emphasis, then what Peter is about to do is the equivalent of having a parade to draw attention to this truth.
It is difficult to be part of a Christian body (church) and see people in that body leading others astray with false teachings. It is even more difficult to challenge those teachings if people are not inclined to know their Bibles.
I speak from personal experience.
Many of the older “mainstream” churches rely on their liturgy and church calendar for Bible instruction. Sermons are less about the Bible and more about the speaker’s social views. The traditions of these churches go back generations, and because they have deep roots, people have come to rely on them as bastions of the truth.
What is to be done?
First of all, trust God. I love the words of Paul in Romans 8:28 —
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
God can work his purposes in any situation. There is nothing that is beyond his power to save.
Peter addressed the question “What is to be done?” in his first letter:
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3: 15-17)
Meanwhile, while we gently point to God’s Word and suffer for doing good, it is a comfort to know that God is aware of the situation and his judgment is not sleeping.
Application: Know God’s Word and live accordingly.
Food for Thought: What can we learn personally from Peter’s warning about the consequences of false teaching?
That people aren’t perfect. Sin is everywhere. To be aware of what you are taking in. Are they pointing to themselves or are they pointing to scripture, the word of God with full context and Jesus. That God trys to give warnings multiple times to everyone. God does His work no matter good or evil. Just follow Christ and Gods word.
Mr. T,
Thank you for your thoughts this morning.
What you say about God giving many warnings is true. He is very patient, something I am personally very grateful for.
I think the passage today reminds us that God is sovereign and we can trust Him to bring justice to those who are deceiving others.
Rich,
Very true! It is both cautionary and reassuring to know that God is vigilant both to save and to judge.
10-25-2021, 2 Peter 2:3a, What can we learn personally from Peter’s warning about the consequences of false teaching?
I once had a pastor tell me he believed the Bible was without error “as originally written.” Of course it was, and on the surface this sounds ok, however these words actually minimize God to being incapable of preserving His word, This leaves our entire Bible in question regarding whether it’s the word of God or men.
His teachings one Sunday he took us briefly into Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. “ He explained how he questioned it’s being inspired because it was too burdensome. I was in shock as I thought of Samuel and his mother Hanna.
This man is no longer with that Church, He and his wife along with their two grown sons have sold their homes and bought property where they all now live together on their communal farm.
God is aware of them and they will one day answer to Him. He does have this one.
Ron,
Interesting story! It is amazing to me that God’s Word still faithfully renders what God wants it to. It is a testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit that the church has survived in spite of such teachers. (I have known a few, too.) I love that God’s people continue to thrive even as we figuratively live in a modern Sodom and Gomorrah.
That if I go around sharing the gospel with others I had better be sharing the truth about what it says,..
We are in chapter 12 from the letter of Mark in the New Testament for the Monday morning session,..if I didn’t spend all the time I did reading and studying the Bible then this may not be happening,..but the circle of six even seven with the old man that walks by with his dog sometimes are studying God’s word together,..great discussions about applying the principles Jesus gave us,..
Anyway,..that’s my take on it,..just speak the truth,..
Well done, John!
It is easy to imagine our Lord Jesus standing behind you, smiling at the faces of your men, beaming as you share his Light.