Daily Thought

‘Cursed children’, v. 14,cp. John8. 44- what a contrast these people are to those who ‘have obtained . . . precious faith’, and have received ‘exceeding great and precious promises’, 2 Pet. 1. 1, 4! Let us thank God today that we, through grace, are among the latter. Although we might prefer a more positive theme to meditate upon, it is vital for us to be forewarned about the destructive activities of false teachers.

Spot the denial. All teachers stand or fall by what they say about the Person of Christ. If any deny His deity and Lordship they are false and to be shunned. Peter speaks of them ‘denying the Lord (‘absolute Master’) that bought them’, 2. 1. Christ purchased the entire field (the world), Matt. 13. 44; therefore, false teachers are bought, but they are not among the redeemed.

Sense the danger. Firstly, false teachers are often to be found among believers, i. e., they know the truth, but deliberately turn their backs upon it, 2 Pet. 2. 1. Paul’s words to the elders at Ephesus are apposite, ‘Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them’, Acts 20. 30. Secondly, they make a deliberate choice to bring in ‘damnable (destructive) heresies’, 2 Pet. 2. 1. Thirdly, they manage to attract a considerable following, v. 2. Fourthly, like Balaam, they are covetous and seek financial gain, vv. 3, 15, 16. Fifthly, they sound impressive, but there is no truth in their teaching, v. 18. Sixthly, they target vulnerable new believers, v. 18. Seventhly, they promise freedom, but they bring their converts into greater bondage, vv. 19, 20. Eighthly, they have no intention of obeying spiritual authority, v. 10. Indeed, they behave like animals, v. 12, and therefore pose a real threat to the welfare of believers.

Savour the security. It is encouraging to know that ‘the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations’, v. 9. Noah, v. 5, and Lot, v. 7, bear testimony to His keeping power. However, He also knows how ‘to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished’, v. 9. Fallen angels, v. 4, and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, v. 6, provide us with powerful reminders of this truth. Similarly, false teachers will not prevail: they ‘shall utterly perish in their own corruption’, v. 12.