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Warnings and Solutions - 2 Peter 2
Warnings and Solutions - 2 Peter 2
In the first 3 verses of chapter 2, Peter states unequivocally that there WILL BE false teachers among churches. He also states that MANY will follow their way, even though they include destructive heresies and even deny Jesus.
How do we make sure WE are not of that MANY who have strayed from the truth? The truth is not recognized by the popularity or personage of the teacher, nor by the number of followers they have, even if such is the majority. It is now and always will be by an understanding of God’s revealed word.
The constant struggle is sticking to what God has revealed. It started from the beginning: “Has God said…”? We see Jesus’ repeated phrase to the religious teachers of His days: ‘Have you not read…’? (some 15 times in the gospels!) Paul’s repeated phrase to the Corinthians: “Do you not know…”? (13 times). John’s constant use of ‘know’ (some 37 times in 30 verses of his short letter). Paul’s insistence the Timothy and Titus give all diligence (study) to handle aright the word of truth.
Yet, knowledge is not the end all for all knowledge is useless if it is not applied! We must 1) STUDY (read, listen, think on or ponder). 2) We must apply what we learn. As James warned that “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” 3) we must constantly examine SELF – compare it with the mirror of God’s word (cp. 2 Cor. 13:5; James 1:23-25).
In spite of all this, it still will be that there will be false teachers among us, and many will follow them. Yet, the solution to this problem is readily at hand – IF we heed the warning and “ Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (cp. Colossians 3:16).
Hugh DeLong
