Doomed!

2 PETER 2: 1-22

(November 28)

Sin does not go unpunished. You may have seen that in your own life on many occasions, when you paid a high price for a wrong you committed. Not one of us is free from judgement for our sins. God is always watching.

The same held true for the false teachers Peter spoke of in his letter. Much like the false prophets of the Old Testament, these false teachers were spreading untruths, twisting the teachings of Jesus into what people wanted to hear. They claimed there was no significance in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and some even claimed he was not an actual man. These false teachers went as far as to encourage immorality, especially sexual sin.

Peter is making a statement of assurance that these false teachers will not go unpunished. God sees all, hears all, and knows all. Just like he wiped out everyone but Noah and his immediate family in the flood, he will pour out judgement on the sins of these false teachers.

He showed this to be true when he wiped out Sodom, leaving only Lot's family to escape. Lot had been a man who was frustrated by the immorality in his town. Being a righteous man, he suffered daily in seeing all the sin going on around him. Lot is proof that God knows us. He knows who to rescue from the trials and sins of this world, all the while punishing the wicked.

They will be destroyed, just like wild animals. This is the price they will pay for the harm they do in the world. Despite this, they continue to lure people in and deceive them, especially when it comes to taking their money.

This could be today in our world. In fact, it is! We see false teachings in our schools, in our government, and still in our churches. Some people will tell you whatever you want to hear, just to get a chance at your money or your service. They will take the truth, mold it and shape it, and turn it into something that looks really good on the outside, but is pure evil on the inside.

Just as in the time this letter was written, we must be alert and on guard. We need to know the REAL truth that comes from the word of God so that we aren't deceived into believing the lies of the wicked. When we stand firm in our faith in God, and hold solidly to the teachings of Christ, we will be like Lot ... sickened by what we see around us and hopeful for a new life and a change for the better. God will see us and our hearts amidst the evilness of the world, and he will rescue us from the pit of despair and the judgement that will come.

While those who worship their greed and immorality instead of worshipping God will be DOOMED, we will be SAVED by God's grace.