July 11, 2013
Watch out for false teachers. Who is a false teacher? Someone who is master over their own life and not a servant of the Master Jesus. There are many people who say they believe Jesus is the Son of God; who say He is the way to salvation; who even say they are "Christian"; and yet they refuse to become a servant to the Master Jesus. The only person they "serve" is self. They are the masters over their own destiny, and their outcome is sure.
II Peter 2:1 - "...they will bring quick ruin on themselves." Everything they do is motivated by self.
Peter calls the actions of people who live their lives motivated by self—evil. If you don't follow God's way then you are against God's way. It really is that simple. If you are not for you are against. If your actions are not following God's teachings, then your actions are against HIS words and you are leading people (being a false teacher) away from Christ by your actions. You have chosen to ignore the fact that Master Jesus bought your freedom with His life and you have installed yourself as master.
"Those false teachers only want your money, so they will use you by telling lies." That one sentence, found in II Peter 2:3, in just fifteen words explains the basis for the lawsuit my sister and brother-in-law filed six years ago.
Peter describes the attributes of a false teacher:
Peter describes the facts of what will happen to those who refuse to surrender to the Master Jesus.
The same thing happened with Lot. He provided a way of escape and He saved Lot, but He destroyed those who chose to live "filthy lives." God provides a way out for those who have surrendered their lives to Him. He separates the righteous from the wicked. II Peter 2:9 - "So the Lord knows how to save those who serve him when trouble comes."
In Jane's KJV she has written: "The Lord knows how to ______ fill in your need." We can have complete confidence in that. The Lord KNOWS! We don't have to do anything but trust, obey, and believe Him to protect us and right the wrong. Psalm 140:12 - "I KNOW the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy."
Those who insist upon being their own god are walking a very dangerous path. They at one time were made free by knowing Jesus, but if they insist upon returning to their evil ways, they become blinded. They fool themselves into thinking they are still free, when in reality they are actually controlled by their sin and it will be worse for them than if they had never known the truth of Christ. Peter says they are like a dog that returns to his vomit or a pig that returns to the mud after being washed.
You will be a servant of something. I choose to be a servant to the Master Jesus rather than a slave to sin. One choice ends in reward. The other ends in destruction.
I found this chapter disturbing to write about. The reality is difficult to think about. But, if I am going to be a servant of Christ, I must accept ALL of His teachings and I must accept that a judgment does await those who refuse to bow to His authority. Unfortunately, I believe the description of a false teacher that Peter describes, line by line describes the actions of my sister and brother-in-law.
LORD, may they change their hearts and lives before it is too late.
Next Entry: II Peter 3:1–18
Watch out for false teachers. Who is a false teacher? Someone who is master over their own life and not a servant of the Master Jesus. There are many people who say they believe Jesus is the Son of God; who say He is the way to salvation; who even say they are "Christian"; and yet they refuse to become a servant to the Master Jesus. The only person they "serve" is self. They are the masters over their own destiny, and their outcome is sure.
II Peter 2:1 - "...they will bring quick ruin on themselves." Everything they do is motivated by self.
Peter calls the actions of people who live their lives motivated by self—evil. If you don't follow God's way then you are against God's way. It really is that simple. If you are not for you are against. If your actions are not following God's teachings, then your actions are against HIS words and you are leading people (being a false teacher) away from Christ by your actions. You have chosen to ignore the fact that Master Jesus bought your freedom with His life and you have installed yourself as master.
"Those false teachers only want your money, so they will use you by telling lies." That one sentence, found in II Peter 2:3, in just fifteen words explains the basis for the lawsuit my sister and brother-in-law filed six years ago.
Peter describes the attributes of a false teacher:
- They are bold
- They do anything they want
- Nothing is sacred to them—nothing is off limits
- They speak as if they have knowledge—but they don't
- They are like animals—they act on instinct
- They cause many people to suffer
- They are proud of their acts—"we are on the cutting edge of everything"
- They delight in trickery while eating meals with you —they have no conscience
- They plan and strategize their trickery methods
- What they want—they go after
- They always want more—they are never satisfied
- They lead others into the trap of sin
- They are greedy
- They've left the right road—they've lost their way
- They cannot be used as God intended—they are void of kingdom value (springs without water)
- They brag about things that mean nothing
- They scheme ways to entice other people to follow them so they can fulfill their own evil desires of power, wealth, fame, etc.
- They promise "freedom" when they themselves aren't free
- They are slaves to things—but those "things" never satisfy
- They think they are in control—but they are actually slaves to what drives them and what drives them ends up controlling them
- They hate authority
Peter describes the facts of what will happen to those who refuse to surrender to the Master Jesus.
- Their actions will bring quick ruin on themselves
- They won't get by with their actions
- "Their judgment spoken against them long ago is still coming."
- Their ruin is certain
- They will suffer like they have caused others to suffer
- They are paid back (by God) for what they have done
- God will punish them
- They are slaves to what controls them—temporary and earthly "things"
The same thing happened with Lot. He provided a way of escape and He saved Lot, but He destroyed those who chose to live "filthy lives." God provides a way out for those who have surrendered their lives to Him. He separates the righteous from the wicked. II Peter 2:9 - "So the Lord knows how to save those who serve him when trouble comes."
In Jane's KJV she has written: "The Lord knows how to ______ fill in your need." We can have complete confidence in that. The Lord KNOWS! We don't have to do anything but trust, obey, and believe Him to protect us and right the wrong. Psalm 140:12 - "I KNOW the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy."
Those who insist upon being their own god are walking a very dangerous path. They at one time were made free by knowing Jesus, but if they insist upon returning to their evil ways, they become blinded. They fool themselves into thinking they are still free, when in reality they are actually controlled by their sin and it will be worse for them than if they had never known the truth of Christ. Peter says they are like a dog that returns to his vomit or a pig that returns to the mud after being washed.
You will be a servant of something. I choose to be a servant to the Master Jesus rather than a slave to sin. One choice ends in reward. The other ends in destruction.
I found this chapter disturbing to write about. The reality is difficult to think about. But, if I am going to be a servant of Christ, I must accept ALL of His teachings and I must accept that a judgment does await those who refuse to bow to His authority. Unfortunately, I believe the description of a false teacher that Peter describes, line by line describes the actions of my sister and brother-in-law.
LORD, may they change their hearts and lives before it is too late.
Next Entry: II Peter 3:1–18
No comments:
Post a Comment