II Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
God knows us better than we know ourselves. In our text He pointed out that false teachers are good at embellishing the truth. They love to tell lies. When you listen to the charismatic kooks talking about how the Lord is blessing them and how they have these amazing healing services, etc. you know they are lying, but they are very groomed at it.
The Greek word translated as “wantonness” means “unbridled lust”. They cannot get enough praise, money, power, etc. The Bible tells us that true saints are motivated by the love of God which translates into a genuine love for people. A genuine love for people prohibits lying to people. Why would I stand in front of people and tell them their dead loved one is in heaven, when their life gave no evidence of salvation. Why would I officiate at a wedding where the couple does not understand what true Biblical love is? Why would I endorse a divorce and remarriage when God forbids it, etc? Most people do not understand love. Love is not going along to get along. Love is seeking to help others to know the mercy and grace of a holy and just God.
The evil in verse 18 is further exposed in that these false teachers thrive on working on the base emotions of people. They know how to lure people who are vulnerable and looking for truth, but not sure where to find it. These false teachers, love to get a hold of these people and get them to feed off their lies. Of course the false teacher is motivated by the love of money and power.
In verse 19 they promise liberty to the gullible, but instead they impoverish them. Peter pointed out the false teachers are servants of corruption. They have chosen a lie and they feed on that lie. Peter tells us that whatever overcomes a person is what will enslave that person.
The apostle Paul wrote that those who are truly saved become servants of the living God. That is not a shameful thing. It is wise to come under the authority of Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life. You will never find a better master than the Lord Jesus Christ. No one acts on their own. No one is their own boss. Many people think they are, but they are just deceiving themselves. Just listen to people talk. They read something, hear something, see something they like and they try to implement that into their life in some fashion.
I Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
The true child of God needs to understand that life is found only in submitting to the Lord Jesus Christ. The blessing is in knowing the Lord and submitting to Him daily.
In verse 20 Peter continued to address the state of the person who has come under the teaching of God’s Word, and seems to appreciate it, but then walks away and goes back to the old wicked way.
Peter is not talking about losing one’s salvation. That is not possible. It is possible to express an interest in truth. It is even possible to claim to be saved and be baptized and join a church, and then walk away from it. That is all possible. That does not mean such a person was ever saved. I can say many things with my mouth. God knows my heart. He knows whether I am being truthful or not.
Salvation is not a complicated thing. However, it requires a full surrender to God. It requires a true desire to submit to His conditions of salvation.
Mark 9:20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
The cry of the father in verse 24 is important. This father was desperate for help for his son. Jesus’ disciples were unable to help this son. The father brought him to Jesus and pleaded with Him to help him. The father lacked the faith that Jesus was able to help his son. The father’s problem was that he lacked faith in Jesus Christ.
When a person comes to God in true repentance, seeking His gift of salvation, he has to be convinced that God can save him. He may see himself as beyond hope. However, by the grace of God, someone will have approached the person and spoken to him about salvation. God is able to show that person that there is hope. The person needs to stop listening to the lies of the devil, who does not want anyone to be saved. He needs to listen to the Word of God which offers salvation to any truly repentant sinner.
In our text, Peter further addressed the danger of the false teacher and the false professor. We stated yesterday, that it is better to stay away from a false church, rather than attend one. In verse 20, Peter is speaking of a person who has heard the truth somewhere, was excited about it, but never surrendered to it. Then some false teacher came along and lured that person into his lies and he chose to believe that because it sounded better to the flesh. Now that person thinks he has been saved, when all he did is accept the words of a smooth talking liar. Peter says the end for that person is worse than the beginning.
In verse 21, Peter says it would be better for that person not to have known the way of righteousness. If God blesses a person with exposure to the truth, and the person rejects that and chooses a lie instead, he will be accountable for the truth he heard and rejected.
The solution is not to stay away from the truth. That does not excuse a person. Every person is given enough “light” to be able to turn to the truth. We have stated before that the Holy Spirit is working in every person’s heart. He is there to show the person their need to be saved. The devil is also working, lying to people and trying hard to keep them from yielding to the work of the Holy Spirit.
In verse 22 Peter used what we might call some crude illustrations. They are sharp and meant to wake people up. If you have been around dogs you have likely observed the dog vomit and then go and eat it up. We would never do that with our vomit, but dogs do that. To us it is gross as it should be. The other illustration is the sow that is washed and looks so nice and clean. Let her out of the barn and she will right back to wallowing in the mud.
God says that is what it is like for the person who has been given the truth, but he chooses to reject it and continue on in his sin. That is a very foolish thing to do, but thousands of people do that.
We have had people attend our church and then leave and not come back. They would rather continue in their sin, than be set free by the mercy and grace of God. God does not force anyone to be saved. He warns of the danger of rejecting His salvation. He also makes it very clear that there are dire consequences to rejecting the Truth. There is no opportunity to come back for another try after death. Death is certain and after death the fate is sealed. Those who are saved, have eternal life. Those who reject the Truth face eternal damnation.
Be sure you choose wisely. Humble yourself and trust in the True God. You will never regret it when you do that.
Pastor Bartel