The End Worse Than The Beginning - False Teachers/Adherents (Part 3) - Be Warned!
Dear Saints,
Imagine driving on the road leading to Las Vegas. Along the way, many signs warn that the bridge has washed away. You keep on going and even increase your speed with your sunroof down. You are having a great time on this trip but have ignored the many road signs about the washed bridge. Who do you blame when you keep driving and end up in a bottomless pit where the bridge crosses?
The above scenario is close to the picture apostle Peter is painting in 2 Peter 2. False teachers and false living will land many people into the bottomless pit of hell. Unfortunately, this is where we are in present-day churches; it is the greatest deception. These are "wolves in sheep's clothing," according to Jesus.
Let's read Apostle Peter's final warning/conclusion:
"These people [False Teachers] are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. 18 They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception.
19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. 20 And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before.
21 It would be better if they had never known the Way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 22 They prove the truth of this proverb: "A dog returns to its vomit." And another says, "A washed pig returns to the mud." 2 Peter 2:17-22 (NLT).
Knowledge comes with responsibility and accountability. We must be held to account for what we know and did not do. All people are without excuse for not doing God's will.
"But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks." Romans 1:18-21.
The worst is knowing the salvation offered in Christ and then listening to false teachings and walking away. The end becomes worse than the beginning, according to Peter.
Some think that Peter is talking about Christians losing their salvation or people who never even believed in the first place. I don't know. But I understand from the passage that when anyone ignores the truth of God's word and chooses the lies of the devil through false teachers, there will be dire consequences.
There is an uttermost need to know the truth of the Gospel and the entire counsel of God's word. The first lie, as was in the beginning with Adam and Eve, is the distortion of God's words. "Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?" Genesis 3:1. Once you accept that the Bible is not God's word or that some portion is not the truth and doesn't matter, one is doomed forever.
False teachers are very persuasive with their twisted lies of enticing words and false promises of freedom. Let us run and keep running away from their lies and their "father of lies," Satan. Test every spirit to see if it is of God - 1 John 4:1
Jesus Christ is the truth; He is God the Savior and Lord. He saves us to the uttermost end, and we are confident that He will complete the good work He has started in us. Philippians 1:6.
Do you know and believe the true Jesus Christ and not the false Christ of the Mormons, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, and other false teachers?
Apostle Peter declared the true Christ in the beginning of his letter:
"I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior." 2 Peter 1:1.
Jesus is "God and Savior." False is any other Christ that is not God who came in the human body, lived a perfect life, crucified/died on the cross and rose again, ascended into heaven, and coming soon again. Jesus is God, the creator of all things. If he is a created being, he cannot save sinners from their sins.
Is this your Jesus? It is not sufficient to believe. We must obey Jesus' commands; otherwise, we are equally deceived and doomed. "Just believe" is the greatest lie and deception in the church today. False teachers and adherents "reject the command they were given to live a holy life." 2 Peter 2:21.
The Holy Spirit in us helps us live holy lives. We must yield to His leading/prompting. Has Jesus forgiven you? Then forgive that one who hurt you recently or in the past. I just did. Thank you, Jesus.
"A dog returns to its vomit" does not describe a true believer who obeys Christ. Jesus calls us "sheep," not "dogs." We are warned of false teachers. Let us warn others by sharing the Gospel of the true Jesus Christ. He is the only Way, the Truth, and Life. Trust and obey Jesus. Know the truth by reading, studying, and obeying the Bible truth. Amen.
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