Beware Lest Ye Also

Peter tells his readers to "beware" lest they are led away with the "error of the wicked." The word "error" there means to wander from the path of truth. The wicked then, are defined by those who do not follow the path of truth, which Peter understands as that which is revealed by and about Christ. In wandering from the path of truth the follower of God is in danger of falling "from your own steadfastness" (2 Pet 3.17). The word "steadfastness" means "a state of security" or "firm conviction to belief" or rather both here, so "a state of security grounded in firm conviction to belief."

This is why truth is so crucial. We are not saved and kept save by an emotional commitment to Christ, we are saved by response to what is true, that Christ died for our sins according to the gospel, that he rose again, and that he will return. We should give careful attention to the truth in our own lives so that we do not wander away from it, for then we are in very grave danger.

Damnable Heresies

The KJV uses pretty colorful language in 2 Pet 2.1, when speaking about false teachers. Peter says that they "shall bring in damnable heresies." There is a certain resonance to that translation, although it is not altogether accurate. The ESV is more accurate, they will "bring in destructive heresies." The Greek word means "the destruction that one causes or experiences." Here BDAG says it is the destruction that one experiences because this type of heresy has the potential to destroy one's faith, and certainly to destroy the church.

This is exactly why both Peter and Paul wrote so strongly against false teachers and against heresies. This is also why we need to carefully guard the heart of the gospel. Satan is always working against the gospel in any way he can, by undermining it, by questioning it, by subverting it. False teachers aid and abet him.

Willing Ignorance

Peter doesn't shy from the truth as is obvious from his words in 3 Pet 3.5 (KJV). He says that those who do not believe that God created the universe are willingly ignorant of that fact. I take this to mean that there is sufficient evidence to convince them, but that they will not be convinced, not due to the paucity of evidence but to the darkness in their own heart.

The Promise of Freedom

Thinking about 2. Peter 2.19, this morning. Peter is severely taking to task false teachers in the church who promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you (NLT). Deep words. True words. How foolish we are if we turn aside from the excellency of Christ to pursue things that are useful in this world only. The endless pursuit of sex only makes you a slave to your sexual nature; there is no satisfaction to be found there. The same goes for power. The same for pride.

Don't shipwreck your faith in pursuit of a few colored glass beads and some temporal trinkets. True, lasting freedom is to be found in Christ alone.

Prayer: O Lord God, may I pursue Christ always. Christ before all things. May I see his excellency and desire him alone.