Author: Charlie Garrett

Saturday, 15 February 2020

Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 Peter 3:1

Here the Greek reads, “This, already, beloved, a second letter to you I write.” The word “now” is an indicator of the short amount of time between the writing of the first and second epistle. His words are going out to basically the same group of people, and there is a sense of urgency in his words which is certainly based on what he said in verses 1:12-15. He could be executed at any time, and he felt it necessary to remind his audience of what was most important while he could.

The words, “this second epistle,” are an interior confirmation that he wrote 1 Peter. And then, adding in words that a forger would certainly fail to include, he says, “in both of which I stir up your pure minds.” The word “both” is inserted, but it is implied. A forger wouldn’t bother stating this, thinking that the words “this second epistle” were sufficient. But Peter did include them, showing that the intent of both letters was the same.

Next, he uses the term “stir up.” The Greek word is diegeiró. It has the intent of arousing the reader to be fully awake and attentive in his understanding. However, the word “minds” is incorrect. The Greek is a singular noun. Their individual minds may have been impure, as certainly all are, but their collective mind was pure, meaning uncontaminated.

The word he uses is only elsewhere found in Philippians 1:10. It comes from two words which indicate “the shining of the sun,” and “to judge.” Thus, it signifies that which is properly judged because it is seen in the full light. There is a divine clarity which results in true and proper discernment.

Peter wishes to stir up this pure mind as a reminder. The intent of the words is that the reminder is in the mind of the audience. They knew the information already, but to draw that forth to the forefront of their thoughts, the reminder is given. It is the same idea as is expressed in 2 Peter 1:13. A “refreshing” of the memory is the anticipated result.

This is similar to a pastor asking his congregation to continually read their Bibles. The information may be there, but it dulls over time. Eventually, it gets crowded out by all of the other things which creep in and take center stage of the mind. But highlighting that which is important, and then asking those in the church to solidify that through staying in the word, is the refreshing of the mind which brings about right thinking and right understanding of the word.

Life application: The book of 2 Peter was the last one recognized by the church as canon, meaning that which is meant for inclusion in the Bible. Other books were disputed as well, but eventually the 66 books we know as the Holy Bible were all accepted as received from God as His word to mankind.

This particular book was claimed to have been written by Peter in the first verse of Chapter 1. Then again in Chapter 1, in verses 13-18, he makes claims concerning his time spent with the Lord. Then, in this verse, he claims this to be his second letter. None of this proves it wasn’t written by an imposter, but the style of writing and the admonitions it proclaims fit into the overall theme of the Bible. It contains the power of God’s written word, and it is written in a manner which edifies the individual and the church overall. Certainly, it is an inspired text.

Peter wanted to stir up the collective mind of his audience. Likewise, we should read the entire Bible with this frame of mind. Rather than reading it in a way which helps us to sleep through our earthly lives, we should read it and take it to heart in a manner which arouses us to be active, watchful, and careful in our life and doctrine.

The previous chapter – dedicated almost exclusively to false teachers – is a clear indication of the importance of sound doctrine, right living, and proper focus. Let us be ever attentive to the words of Scripture and let us keep our minds pure by continuously referring to it in our daily lives. And further, let us return praise and honor to the Lord for so tenderly caring for us that He sent Jesus for our sins, the Holy Spirit for our comfort, and His word to build us up until we meet Him face to face.

Hallelujah Heavenly Father! Thank You for the pages of the Bible which inform us, correct us, instruct us, and lead us to a fuller and more intimate relationship with You. Stir up our minds to be pure, and to help us to be cleared of defilement as we pursue You through its pages. To Your honor and glory we pray. Amen.

Friday, 14 February 2020

But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:22

The chapter now finishes with Peter going back to the Old Testament to cite a taste of wisdom from the book of Proverbs to establish the truth of what he has been saying. He is still speaking of those who had known the way of righteousness and turned from it. As he says, “But it has happened to them according to the true proverb.” In other words, just as the wisdom of the proverb proclaims, so man follows the pattern set down in it.

From there, Peter cites Proverbs 26:11, saying –

“As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly.”

Peter next speaks of “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” This second example may be from an ancient story about a pig that went to a public bath with people of high status. Later when coming out of the bath, he saw a stinky drain and went and rolled in it. The moral of both of these is that just as a perverse person hears the message of the gospel, maybe even taking it to heart and half-heartedly participating in it, there is no acceptance of it. When he sees what he at first left behind, even though it is disgusting and far less acceptable, he returns to it.

The words of Peter here in no way speak of a person who was saved and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Rather, they speak of a person who follows his unchanged degenerate nature. Albert Barnes gives a long, but insightful, commentary on this –

“This passage is often quoted to prove ‘the possibility of falling from grace, and from a very high degree of it too.’ But it is one of the last passages in the Bible that should be adduced to prove that doctrine. The true point of this passage is to show that the persons referred to never ‘were changed;’ that whatever external reformation might have occurred, their nature remained the same; and that when they apostatized from their outward profession, they merely acted out their nature, and showed that in fact there had been ‘no’ real change. This passage will prove – what there are abundant facts to confirm – that persons may reform externally, and then return again to their former corrupt habits; it can never be made to prove that one true Christian will fall away and perish. It will also prove that we should rely on no mere external reformation, no outward cleansing, as certain evidence of piety. Thousands who have been externally reformed have ultimately shown that they had no religion, and there is nothing in mere outward reformation that can suit us for heaven. God looks upon the heart; and it is only the religion that has its seat there, that can secure our final salvation.”

It is interesting that Peter takes the two unclean animals, and he places them side by side in a single verse, just as he heard Jesus do many years before –

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” Matthew 7:6

Peter carefully contemplated the words of Jesus and used what he had learned to instruct us in sound theology using examples similar to those Jesus had chosen.

Life application: Dogs often eat excitedly and too quickly. Their system can’t handle the load, and so they vomit up what they’ve eaten. However, this doesn’t deter them from going back and reengaging their meal.

Pigs can be bathed, showered with perfume, painted with lipstick, and given a soft pillow to lie on, but a pig is still a pig. If it looks to the left and sees a hole of mud, it will immediately head for it. There is no sense in either of these beasts as to what is clean or unclean – they are merely unreasoning animals.

Peter says the same is true of false teachers. Other animals participate in equally disgusting habits, but by using these two animals in particular, he is showing an additional level of uncleanliness in them. Dogs and pigs are both considered unclean animals under the Law of Moses. By using them as examples, he is implying that false prophets are unclean in their very nature and have no redeeming qualities at all.

When evaluating spiritual leaders, don’t look at the soft coat or the fancy perfumed persona. Rather, look at the whole person and evaluate them based on their adherence to God’s word.

Lord, please keep us from the false appearances of wayward teachers. May we not be deceived by those who are outwardly showy, but who are inwardly unreasoning and unclean animals bent on the consumption of filth. Also, please direct us to leaders who speak the truth in righteousness and who exalt You with their lives, both in public and in private. Amen.

Thursday, 13 February 2020

For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 2 Peter 2:21

Peter is referring to those who “have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” of the previous verse. Here, he says of them, “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness.” This is connected to the words of verse 2 where Peter calls the path of right pursuit of Christ “the way of truth.” Here, that path it is called “the way of righteousness.”

It is certain that if one believes that salvation can be lost, this will be interpreted as meaning the individual was a true believer at one point. Likewise, if a person believes that salvation cannot be lost, it will be argued in the opposite way. From there, logical arguments are made to defend the position. Cambridge ties Peter’s words in with actual belief –

“The ‘way of righteousness’ is like the ‘way of truth’ in 2 Peter 2:2, a comprehensive description of the religion of Christ as a whole, regarded here in its bearing on life, as there in its relation to belief.”

However, there is no reason to tie this knowledge in with belief. One can know that Jesus died on a cross, and that Christians believe it was for the sins of man, and yet he can fail to believe that himself. Head knowledge does not necessarily equate to heart knowledge. With this understanding, Peter then says, “than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”

Such a person, with full head knowledge, can say, “I just cannot accept this premise.” From there, he fails to believe, and he turns from the knowledge he possesses. This is true with people trained in seminaries. Countless masses have been provided all the theology they need to believe the message of Christ, and yet they fail to do so.

Many of them become the finest scholars in biblical languages and even write detailed commentaries on the Bible. And yet, they do not believe the Bible is inspired by God. Nor do they accept that Jesus died for their sins. In this group are those who even comment on whether salvation can be lost or not, as if they believed in one doctrine or another.

Tying the two ideas – the way of righteousness and the state of belief – is a common sentiment of those who accept that Peter’s words are speaking of true believers, and that salvation can thus be lost. But following the progression of the life of Judas – a person who knew both the way of truth and the way of righteousness – one can see the flawed thinking presented in such a stand. First, Judas had all the knowledge he needed to accept Christ’s ministry (the way of truth and that of righteousness), and yet he did not believe –

“‘The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. ⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.” John 6:63, 64

Secondly, Jesus then says the same type of thing that Peter says in this verse –

“The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” Matthew 26:24

Peter says it would have been better for them to not have known the way of righteousness, and Jesus says it would be good for that man if he had not been born. The ideas are comparable in intent.

Thirdly, Peter acknowledges that Judas had a part in the ministry, even though he did not believe (as noted by Jesus in John 6) –

“…for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” Acts 1:17

Finally, using a living parable, Jesus shows that in his unbelief, Judas was also not cleansed (implying “saved” in the typology presented) –

“Jesus said to him, ‘He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.’ ¹¹ For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, ‘You are not all clean.’” John 13:10, 11

Therefore, there is no reason to assume that “knowledge” in this verse equates to “belief.” Taking this in light of the other verses and concepts which speak of eternal salvation, it is clear that those who use this verse as a justification for loss of salvation have improperly used both their logic and Scripture in the process of doing so.

Life application: Peter, speaking of the false prophets, may have been thinking of those who received the Law at Mount Sinai, but who later turned from it at the cost of their lives. They had been delivered from Egypt, taken through the Red Sea, brought safely to Mount Sinai, and received the Ten Commandments as the Lord spoke to them from the awesome display – thundering, lightning, thick clouds, and the trumpet blast. However, after all of this, they turned their hearts away from the Lord and back to Egypt. They rebelled against Moses and began an open insurrection.

In the end, those who rebelled were destroyed and the people were held accountable – their bodies perished in the wilderness. Likewise, the people who have heard and simply not believed may see the gospel as a tool of opportunity to manipulate others. Just because someone preaches the gospel, this is no indication that he really believes it.

The world is full of people who have learned to use Christianity to increase their wealth and position. This is why it is so very important to always fix our eyes on Jesus. When we trust the message of a mere man and follow him, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. Churches crumble and close around men who appeared godly but who are bent on serving their own appetites. Families have been destroyed by pastors who have manipulated women in the congregation. Life investments have been handed over to ungodly preachers who have taken the money and left the donors disillusioned and penniless.

All of this temporary gaining of wealth, position, sex, or power will lead only to their destruction. What they feel they have gained will be taken from them, and they will perish in their wickedness. It would have been better for them to have never known the truth or the way of righteousness.

Lord Jesus, You have shown us the way which is right and have given us the truth of Your word. Give us wisdom to follow You and not be led astray by manipulative and self-seeking people. Keep us from such people and provide us with godly leaders who have only Your gospel as their chief aim and purpose. Amen.

Tuesday, 11 February 2020

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 2 Peter 2:19

Peter, still speaking of the false teachers, builds upon what he just said in the previous verse concerning those who are allured by them and those who narrowly escape from them. He now shows how this is possible by saying, “While they promise them liberty.”

One example here is that those who are in Christ are free from the law, but they are not free from what is morally sound. However, false teachers might appeal to the flesh stating that because Christ died for sin, and God is glorified through forgiving sin, then there is much more glory for God when we do evil so that good may come. This is what Paul speaks of in Romans 3:5-8.

Using this (or a comparable type of thinking), false teachers will promise liberty. They may say, “You are free to do anything that you wish in regard to sex. We have complete liberty, so live it up!” In such perverse teaching, they show that “they themselves are slaves of corruption.” They are wholly under the power and influence of corruption. Such ideas are perverse, and they are completely at odds with what God would have for those who have been redeemed by Christ.

With this understanding, Peter completes the thought with a point of logic. He says, “for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.” If the false teacher is a slave of corruption, and a person follows in the teaching of such a false teacher, then he is not brought into liberty at all. He may think he has liberty because he freely does every perverse thing his heart desires, but he is now – in fact – also a slave of corruption.

The very thing which was promised to bring freedom is what brings bondage and slavery. The thought Peter presents here is beautifully expanded on by Paul in Romans 6 –

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What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! ¹⁶ Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? ¹⁷ But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. ¹⁸ And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. ¹⁹ I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹ What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. ²² But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:15-23

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Life application: There is a truth in Peter’s words today which has echoed throughout the history of humanity. The 2^nd Psalm begins with these three verses –

“Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
² The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
³ ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.’” Psalm 2:1-3

One who fights against the Lord and His purposes is already a slave of corruption. However, such a person will rally the people against the Lord saying, “Let us break their bonds…” and thus promise liberty to those he is trying to influence. And yet, the very people who are being promised liberty find themselves brought into the same bondage they were told they would avoid.

Nazi Germany is a perfect example. In the world of today, we see the same anger and railing in nations as they fight in the streets – promising revolution and a new direction, when in fact the end is already determined. Likewise, false teachers of the gospel act in just the same way.

They promise “freedom from poverty,” “freedom from ailments,” “freedom from fear,” etc. All of this is promised by sending them money. Take time to objectively watch various Christian TV shows for a few hours. For every decent hour of broadcasting, there will be two which teach nothing doctrinally. Instead, there will only be promised blessings of heaven – all at the low cost of sending them an offering. The very bondage one expects to be freed from will be what actually brings that person into bondage. Be attentive to Jesus and His word – the only true source of freedom.

Lord, may we be overcome only by You, because in You there is true freedom. May the chains we wear from a life of sin be exchanged for the glorious promise of being Your slaves – who are the freest of all. May we never be enticed by promises of power, riches, or glory in this world, but rather may we long for a place in the heavenly home that You have prepared for those who love You. Amen.