Context
In these two chapters, Peter confronts, in vivid, colorful language, the false teachers who were destined to arise in the church to lead the followers of Christ astray. Similarities to Jude abound in Peter's metaphors.
Devotional - Eyes Open
It is assumed in many theological debates that the writings of the early church fathers must be reliable and true because they were so close to Apostles in time. But in reality, the church strayed quickly from the truth after the apostles were gone. The warnings of Jesus, Paul, and Peter here in 2 Peter 2-3 proved all too true. Gnostics. Mystics. Those who denied the dual nature of Christ (first denying his humanity, then soon his fully deity). Salvation by baptism. The church strayed into doctrinal error quickly.
That is why there are so many warnings in the New Testament about the increase of false teachers. In this passage, Peter reminds us that these spiritual charlatans will arise in the church. Friends - THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! Jesus promised us they would be. So did Peter. So did Paul. Just because someone says, "I'm a Christian and I preach the Bible does NOT mean they are." We have been promised wolves among the sheep - spiritual predators who would come among us not to feed the sheep but to devour them. We must stop being gullible, believing every person who claims Christ is a Christian.
But Peter also promised us that God could handle these false teachers. Yes, we need to be wary and careful, but 2:4-9 tells us that God will not only punish those who lead others astray but will also protect us from them. God is powerful - more powerful than those who twist the truth!
Those are the two errors we must avoid and the pendulum swings wildly between them. On the one hand we sometimes fail to realize that the wolves are among us. We are gullible. But on the other hand, some despair and become so focused on the false teachers that they forget that God's truth is stronger than the error.
Stay in the word. Know the truth and it will set you free. Keep your eyes open for the lying liars who are everywhere, but remember that God's truth reigns supreme!
That is why there are so many warnings in the New Testament about the increase of false teachers. In this passage, Peter reminds us that these spiritual charlatans will arise in the church. Friends - THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! Jesus promised us they would be. So did Peter. So did Paul. Just because someone says, "I'm a Christian and I preach the Bible does NOT mean they are." We have been promised wolves among the sheep - spiritual predators who would come among us not to feed the sheep but to devour them. We must stop being gullible, believing every person who claims Christ is a Christian.
But Peter also promised us that God could handle these false teachers. Yes, we need to be wary and careful, but 2:4-9 tells us that God will not only punish those who lead others astray but will also protect us from them. God is powerful - more powerful than those who twist the truth!
Those are the two errors we must avoid and the pendulum swings wildly between them. On the one hand we sometimes fail to realize that the wolves are among us. We are gullible. But on the other hand, some despair and become so focused on the false teachers that they forget that God's truth is stronger than the error.
Stay in the word. Know the truth and it will set you free. Keep your eyes open for the lying liars who are everywhere, but remember that God's truth reigns supreme!
Father, I thank you that your truth is powerful and real. May I know it and live it.
Think and Pray
Do you walk in the place of balance - avoiding both gullibility and cynicism?
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