September 2019

Do Not Fall

Do not fall

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. — 2 Peter 3:17-18, NKJV

Men, Peter had started chapter 3 in vs1 stating the importance of reminding the people of the prophets’ words and the commandments in a world of false teachers. Peter ends telling his readers to beware, that they do not fall from their steadfastness. He tells them to be on guard that they do not get led astray by these false teachers and deceivers. He goes on to say, don’t lose your grasp on the truth but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Again, from Ch. 1, as we grow in grace and virtue, we are to add knowledge, self-control, perseverance, Godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. With these qualities we can stand together against the schemes of the enemy and of false teachers as we wait on our patient and loving Lord’s return.

It’s easy in our time to get led astray. We have our many distractions. Some good and others which aren’t bad on their own. We have false teachers everywhere. Truth is considered relative, facts are tools of manipulation. We are a confused and divided people and it’s getting worse. Peter would also tell us to remain steadfast. To grow in knowledge and so on. Take care to understand what you say you believe. Don’t be swept away by the changing winds of culture. Be rooted in the rock of His Word instead of sand. Take care what you worship. If your day revolves around sports scores and touchdowns, you may have a false worship problem. If your job takes top priority for you daily focus, you may need a reorientation into The Lord. Whose are you?

Move forward men, identifying the tools the enemy uses to distract us from His will for our lives. If youth travel ball is taking away family time in the Word, rethink it. If your job won’t allow time to be husband, Dad, priest of your home, down size. The Lord is our God and nothing else. Beware of false teachers and false worship. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Vance Durrance

Scoffers, Beware!

Beware

By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. ⁷By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. — 2 Peter 3:6-7 NIV

Men, Peter mentions those who deny the Lord, our God, as Creator. Those people who scoff at believers as superstitious or too unlearned to adhere to the theories of science. Peter says they deliberately forget that by the Word of God, heaven existed, and earth was formed out of water which He created. By the same Word of God this present heaven and earth are being preserved for judgment by fire, for the destruction of the ungodly.

Those that scoff at the things of God, our Father, have put themselves on a path to certain destruction. A person can deny that the Lord is our Creator and Sustaining Power for only so long. Some deny that the world is round, but the world is round nonetheless.

There is an end coming. This end will be met with fire, like a cosmic control burn, purging His creation of weeds and undergrowth. Those who continue to deny Him will be consumed. Sometimes it is hard to be on the receiving side of scoffers, but in the end, which will come, we who endure with faithfulness, resting in His name, will escape His wrath in mercy.

Move forward men, praying for the scoffers of this age. They willfully deny the Lord our God, dangerously playing chicken with a timeline that only the Father in heaven is aware of. In their arrogance and disdain for the Lord they adhere to unprovable and improbable theories. The truth is not in them, and they are blind to their condition. It will be a sad and horrifying day for them in the end.

Pray brothers, that the light of heaven penetrates the darkness of their hearts. Endure the trials this age doles out to us. The Lord is patient and merciful. He rewards our suffering and hears our prayers.

Vance Durrance

Deception

And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. — 2 Peter 2:2-3

Men, in Peter’s, and in our own, time, we are warned of false teachers. Peter goes on to say, many will follow them and their destructive lifestyle. By them, the way of Truth will be slandered. Their greed will exploit with destructive words. But God in heaven sees, and their destruction is not sitting idle or asleep. In the past few decades we have seen all manner of false teachers. What starts as subtle deception turns into a cult. Many cult leaders draw in followers to exploit a sense of power and authority, some for sexual deviance, some for money. We have seen mass rape, suicide, and downright strange practices from these cults.

It’s still happening. Many of today’s pastors prop themselves up as “king and queen” of the church on the corner and expect accolades from their followers, or at least that they be “in line” with their wishes, which often stray from Scripture. Galatians 6 says “…be not deceived, God is not mocked…” A just reward will come to those who sow seeds of evil among the Father’s sons and daughters. Still, we are told to beware and watchful.

We live in a time where we don’t pick up our Bibles for ourselves, nor do we even carry them to church. How then will we know if we are deceived? Will we listen to the Spirit? Which one? Our own spirit can deceive us, the spirit of the enemy can deceive us. We must be diligent about searching out His truth and hearing His voice through our own noise.

Move forward men, watchful that we are not swept away by the schemes of the enemy. If you are more passionate about your favorite sports team, or paycheck than you are about meeting with the Father, you sir, are already far swept down stream in a raging river.

Vance Durrance