Company to sin with!

Scripture Read: 2 Peter 2:12-16 But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, [13] suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, [14] having eyes full of adultery and that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; [15] forsaking the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, [16] but he received a rebuke for his own transgression; for a dumb donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet.

Application: Trained -  γυμνάζω gumnázō;  To train naked, as the Greek athletes. Generally to exercise, train. Thus gumnásion, gymnasium, is a place of exercising. Metaphorically to train in godliness (1 Tim. 4:7; Heb. 5:14; 12:11); training in covetousness (2 Pet. 2:14).  

The thing that strikes me about this passage is the intent of the sinner here – They are like athletes. This is not sin that someone trips into due to carelessness or lack of discipline. This is conscious sin, worked at and cultivated. This is that line we cross over that is really the beginning of carnal living. All of us sin and will continue to struggle with the flesh – but are times when there really is not a struggle. We have moved into a very dangerous realm of love for that sin and we actually work on ways to practice it. I have tasted this for myself, but did not go to the point of this passage. Not only loving the sin for yourself but desiring others to love it with you! That must be the final line to cross when a person has decided to quit on God and live a life for self – they can’t stand the loneliness so they have to drag others to join them so they can feel better about this choice. Do You look at them differently Father? Please fill me with the hatred of sin that You have while still loving the sinner.

A Lifestyle is what’s needed

Scripture Read:  2 Peter 2:9-13 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, [10] and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, [11] whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. [12] But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, [13] suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong.

Application:  indulge – πορεύομαι; poreuomai =  to pursue the journey on which one has entered, to continue on one’s journey; to depart from life; to follow one, that is: become his adherent. This is just a common word – but notice where it is used. To “go after, with, become a journey with, depart life or to allow it to become the leader”. That is really what this means. It is not just sin – but giving yourself over to the control of the flesh. This is exactly why I see how important it is that You draw me t the life filled with Your Spirit. I realize that the struggle against sin will continue, but if I am filled with the Spirit the majority of the time I will see many victories, growth and I will bring You glory. It may not be a sinless life – but perhaps a vice less life. Help me Oh God to keep driving toward that. Fill me Holy Spirit and lead me to freedom!   

The World needs the Truth

Scripture Read:  2 Peter 2:1-3   But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. [2] And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; [3] and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Application: Three words really stick out here. 1. Secretly = παρεισάγω pareisagō - to introduce or bring in secretly or craftily - letting enemies into a city) or at least the unexpected; Sensuality, ἀσέλγεια aselgeia absence of restraint, insatiable desire for pleasure. Man necessarily falls victim to this when cut off from God. It characterises Sodom and Gomorrah (2 Pt. 2:7) and the pagan world generally (Eph. 4:19), also heresy and apostasy; Maligned; βλασφημέω, δυσφημέω blasphēmeō, dysphēmeō 1 to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme. 2 to be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at.  In secular Gk. βλασφημία is a. “abusive speech” 1. In the NT the concept of blasphemy is controlled throughout by the thought of violation of the power and majesty of God. Violation of the obligation of love even in such matters could expose to scandal. False teaching is blasphemy when it perverts from the way of truth (2 Pt. 2:2; R. 3:8). The blasphemy does not have to find verbal expression. Any bad or unloving action can contain it, either because it resists the holy will of God or because it causes the enemies of Christianity to calumniate it.

 

This is the tactic of the false teacher – conscious of it or not they are bringing in enemies to Truth, using the senses – health wealth and prosperity – that in the end twist what the Truth is. That in turn helps the world to view the Faith with disdain. Their truth is based on human senses not God’s Truth. This makes their gospel self-centered, all about them and their comforts – which the world sees as no different that any of their philosophies! The power of the Gospel is that it is about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and then others. False teacher is about a different trinity – Me, Myself and I. Please keep me in the Truth Oh Lord!

For Sure means – For Sure!

Scripture Read: 2 Peter 1:[19] And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. [20] But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, [21] for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Application:  Sure = (βέβαιος Bebaios) 1 stable, fast, firm. - metaph. sure, trusty. In the NT not used of persons but objects (Heb. 6:19), that which does not fail or waver, immovable, and on which one may rely. βέβαιος is often found with reference to λόγος. Α βέβαιος λόγος is a firm, sure, well-grounded λόγος. It denotes one which rests on an insight into things and grants insight.- Participation in Christ is actualised for us when we grasp and hold the establishment of ourselves as firm and valid in its firmness (validity). Similarly in 2 Pt. 1:19 the προφητικὸς prophētikos λόγος is βέβαιος, i.e., sure, reliable, but also valid; its declarations are fulfilled for faith by their enactment. Here a λόγος is βέβαιος, not in so far as it maintains an insight, but in so far as it shows itself to be grounded in an event. This, and therefore the distinction from the Greek view, becomes even clearer in Hb. 2:2, which is to be rendered: “For if what was once spoken by angels showed itself to be valid, and every transgression and disobedience receives the appropriate punishment …” The λόγος proves its “certainty” and “foundation” by its efficacy. It is βέβαιος, not as perspicacious, but as actual, effective and forceful.

What is really clear here is that as we get closer to the return of Christ – Day Dawns, Morning Star Arises – we should sense the surety of these prophetic utterances even more. I do see some and I sense in my heart as I see the age drawing to a close – YES! What my God has spoken is true! Yet I do not find that with the church as a whole. She has replaced His views with her views! God’s Word is good but let’s not take it too far – surely there is room for interpretation. Salvation is about Me and him, not Him and me. Hence the teaching of lose of salvation. To place all God’s work at the cross on the whims of man is tragic!  The Bible states many will say Lord, Lord and He replies with “I never knew you” Not I disowned you or You removed yourself. There is a huge difference between Eternal Security vs. Assurance of Salvation. One is God’s view the other is ours!

Leaving a life not just a Word

Scripture Read:  2 Peter 1:[15] And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind. [16] For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. [17] For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"-- [18] and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

Application: There is an excellent principle here. It’s one thing for people to remember what they heard – it is another for them to remember what they have seen. Although the seeing here and in my case would be through the fruits in the life – it is still more powerful than what someone would have merely heard. So my goal is that when I leave – I leave such a clear image of what Christ accomplished in my life that it is visibly remembered. Words are powerful and can cause much – but add to words flesh and bone of changed lifestyle and no one can deny that. – Remember – people can deny what you say but not what you are! I should be striving to live in such a way that when I am gone people have a visible image of the person of Jesus Christ! That is what is important! I can only do this with your help oh Lord!