2 Peter 2:2 Many
will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into
disrepute. (NIV)
I don’t know about you,
but sometimes I find the letters at the end of the New Testament to be quite
discouraging and void of anything positive. It makes me wonder what was
happening during those times that made the Apostle Peter to sternly rebuke people
in the Church. It’s almost as if Christianity had lost its direction and that
the only way for it to be put back on the right course was to confront false
leaders and challenge their ‘depraved conduct.’
Peter knew all about this
because he had been guilty of the same things when he denied Jesus three times
and swore vehemently that he never knew Him. It was a shameful act that Peter
never forgot, so when he challenged false teachers for leading the people
astray, he recognized the real damage that those fake leaders could wreak on
the Young Church. It was a ministry that was necessary and like most of the
other true disciples, it would cause him to be martyred.
As Christians, we are
meant to exemplify all that is good about God and true about Christ. If we
become influenced by false teachers and charlatans, we not only endanger our
faith, but we also ruin the witness of the whole Church. Peter’s stark words
challenged the counterfeit teachers of his day, but they are also a serious
reminder for all of our churches to discern God’s truth and Christ’s way in our
own world.
Application: Do Peter’s
words challenge my beliefs? How do I discern God’s truth in the world?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, the
words of Peter may sting us today because we are sometimes guilty of obscuring
the truth and going astray. Teach us clearly what Your Way is all about and
help us to follow that path faithfully. In Your Holy Name, we ask for help and
pray. Amen.
John Stuart is the pastor
of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for
worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊
Today’s image is an early
drawing by John called “Sleep on, Simon Peter.” If you would like to view a
larger version, click here: Sleep.
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