THURSDAY 12th
2 Peter 2:4-22
Vv21-22 ‘For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”’
I have jumped today from the verses we considered in the previous devotion verses 9-10 right through to verses 21-22. The reason being that today’s verses bring a conclusion to all that Peter has been saying in the previous verses.
This whole section of 2 Peter is not easy reading, it is not always easy to understand but its overall message is clear, God will deal with the sinner. We must not try to avoid this by attempting to soften or to dumb down the gospel message. If we do, then we are undermining Christ’s atoning work. Sin must be punished, it cannot be excused, but the good news is that it can be forgiven but only through the message of the Cross. Acts 10:36, 42-43 ‘As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all) . . . And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”’
You will remember that Peter commenced this second chapter by referring to those who were around in his day and who are also found in our day, false prophets, false teachers with false words.
It is possible looking at what Peter has to say that some of these would have been believers, but they had moved or strayed away from the truth, they had distorted or twisted the truth so that it could no longer be considered truth instead it has become error. And Peter’s verdict is very clear they can no longer be considered as believers, verse 20 is clear in what it says, they have become entangled again in the defilements that had previously ensnared them and how serious is this, it says that the state they are now in is worse for them than what it was before! Look at or listen to what verse 21 says, ‘For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.’ Peter then describes them as those who have returned to vomit or as a sow that has been cleaned and yet returns to wallow in the mire.
All I want to add here today is this, we need to be warned to stay on track, to stand firm upon the truth and to be sure that we do not turn to the left or the right but keep our eyes firmly fixed upon Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith. I end with some words from Jude, verses 20-21 ‘But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.’