II   Peter 1-2

In 1:16-21 Peter reminds his readers of the fact that he was an eyewitness "of His majesty".  He saw and heard and felt the power of God on the mountain with Jesus.  To him, this confirmed everything that the prophets had written about the coming of the Messiah... " the prophetic word made more sure".  Peter warns that prophecy was never "an act of human will but men moved by the Holy Spirit".. who spoke what God told them to speak.  It can be trusted.. But,  he warns that some men speak from falsehoods and malign the Truth.  We must be diligent to persevere in the Truth.. which will keep us in moral excellence , knowledge, self-control, love, kindness, and godliness. 

False teachers.. should be easy to spot when we know the Truth.. but so many people do not study the
Word of God and are easily led astray.  The temptations are powerful and everywhere...

".. false teachers will secretly introduce destructive heresies even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves." (2:1)
They "follow their sensuality". 
In their greed they "exploit" the followers of Christ.
They" indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires"
They "despise authority". 
They are "daring".
They are "self-willed".
They revile "where they have no knowledge"
They revel in their sins and "their deceptions". 
They have "eyes full of adultery"
They forsake "the right way". 
They speak arrogantly.
They entice others.
They promise "freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption". 

Peter states clearly that those who once "escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"  but once again are "entangled in them and are overcome"  are worse off than before they were saved.

Judgement is coming.  It is not something that we want to talk about or think about.. but we need to take seriously.  God did not "spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness reserved for judgement."  He did not spare the ungodly in Noah's day.  He did not spare Sodom and Gomorrah..  He knows "how to rescue the godly from temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgement."

Remember.. Peter writes.. and keep remembering.. stay diligent. Pay attention.  Choose to walk in light and in truth.  Choose to increase in purity, knowledge of the Word, godliness and love.  Persevere.  Have self-control. Don't be drawn in by "destructive heresies.."

We can see this clearly in the church today.. we call them "liberals".. but they are false teachers who are bringing destruction upon themselves.  Sin is sin.  Whether we want to say its ok or not.. God has the final Word and He will bring judgement on all sin.  May God help us to stand firm in the day of evil.

Father, once again, we seek You and You alone, for You are God, the Majestic Glory, who sent Your Beloved Son so that we might be saved.  Bring repentance and revival to Your people, O Lord. Draw us to the throne of grace.. to pray more fervently for the lost, knowing that You do not wish "for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. "  I ask for the salvation of those in my own family who are still lost, thanking You for having patience and pleading for You to bring them to Yourself through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.