1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.” (2 Peter 2:1–2, NKJV)
False teachers. They existed in Peter’s day. They still do. Their teaching is false; destructive and divisive as it denies the Lord and His truth. By their error they bring upon themselves swift and sure destruction of the Lord’s judgment. The “way of truth”, God’s word, is the standard that exposes false teaching and the false teacher. The false teacher’s error blasphemes truth, and tragically, “many will follow their destructive ways” of error. Make no mistake, it matters what you teach, what you believe and what you follow. Otherwise, this text is meaningless. Be sure you are teaching the “way of truth”, not error. And, be sure you are following the Lord’s way of truth and not false teachers who will lead you to destruction. Examine the Scriptures. Teach, believe and follow the truth of God (Acts 17:11-12).
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)
Discouragement is a tool of the devil that prevents continued faithfulness and hinders the progress of good in the world. So, Christians are exhorted to keep on doing good without growing tired and weary. Remaining vigilant while doing good assures a bountiful harvest (see verses 7-8). Continuing to do good makes a difference in your life (now and eternally), and it also makes a difference in the lives of others. Never underestimate the power of each small deed of kindness (see Matt. 10:42). Look for and use your opportunities to do good things for those who are not Christians, and especially toward other Christians. We all could use a good dose of doing good to others. Do not become exhausted while doing good. Be a diligent doer of good today.
You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:18, NKJV)
Israel was instructed not to retaliate against each other out of hatred and anger. (“You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him”, Lev. 19:17.) Bearing a grudge means holding onto anger and resentment and allowing those evil twins to dictate your decisions and actions toward others. Holding a grudge is not loving your neighbor, nor does it honor the Lord. Can you imagine Jesus holding a grudge? Neither can a Christian and please Him. Holding a grudge reflects hatred. If you are holding onto a grudge, let go of it. It is harming your relationship with God and others. If you have been wronged, let God deal with that. Follow the example of Jesus and keep on loving the unlovable. After all, that’s how He has loved us all (Rom. 5:6-8).
37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him. (John 10:37–38, NKJV)
Jesus does not expect you to blindly follow Him. Faith is not blind; it is built upon evidence (Heb. 11:1). With eyes wide open, faith sees and accepts the evidence that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. The works of Jesus give powerful testimony that He is the Son of God. When questioned whether He was the Christ, Jesus directed John to what He was doing: 2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” (Matt. 11:2-6). Even His enemies did not dispute His great miracles (Jno. 11:47). Secure your faith in Jesus as the Son of God by believing His works.
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of his ways will die. (Proverbs 19:16, NKJV)
Your interest in eternal life is shown by your interest in keeping the commands of the Lord. Jesus said the Father’s command is everlasting life, and so He carefully spoke the Father’s will for us to obey (Jno. 12:48-50). Obeying the commands of God protects our soul unto eternal life. Disobeying the commands of God leads to our eternal death (Rom. 6:23). Do not despise the commands of God. They are for your good. “Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Rev. 22:14). Do not be careless with your soul. Protect it by keeping the commands of God.
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets… (Ephesians 3:3–5, NKJV)
God miraculously revealed His gospel plan to Paul and the other apostles of Christ. You can understand what Paul knew about God’s great redemptive plan “when you read” what he wrote. To paraphrase Paul, “You can know what I know when you read what I wrote.” The Bible is not impossible to understand. Truly, it is a revelation, not a concealment. You are responsible for reading and learning it for yourself so that your faith will be in the powerful word of God and not in the will and wisdom of men (1 Cor. 2:4-5). Spend time reading the Scriptures every day. By doing so you will come to know God’s will for your life and, by then doing His will, you will please God (2 Cor. 5:9).
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:42–44, NKJV)
People who predict when Jesus will return are destined to fail. Repeatedly we are told Jesus will return unexpectedly and without warning (“as a thief in the night”, 1 Thess. 5:2). No one on this earth knows when Jesus will return: “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them” (1 Thess. 5:3). Therefore, always be prepared for His return. This begins by becoming a Christian and continues by being a faithful disciple of Jesus. The “wise and faithful servant” does his Master’s will and will be ready when Christ returns (Matt. 24:45-47). The foolish servant makes light of God’s long suffering by being unfaithful to the Lord (Matt. 24:48-51). Which servant will you be today?
Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9, ESV)
Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples” (Jno. 8:31). The apostle John reiterates this truth in today’s verse. We cannot go beyond what the teaching of Christ says without forfeiting fellowship with God. The reason is clear: God’s word is truth (Jno. 17:17). God does not sanction error, which is a lie against the truth (and God cannot lie, Titus 1:2). Jesus promises He and the Father will “make our home” with the person who loves Him and keeps His word (Jno. 14:23). John’s statement agrees with this. If you truly want to have a relationship with Jesus, then love Him, keep His word and do not go beyond it. Live by faith according to His truth, and Christ will live in you (Eph. 3:17).
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15–16, NKJV)
The gospel is the good news of salvation from sins through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Son of God sent His apostles into the world to preach the gospel. Those who do not believe the gospel are condemned, lost in their sins. Every person who believes the gospel and is baptized is saved from the condemnation of sin. The words of Jesus are unmistakable. One must believe and be baptized to be saved. Jesus did not say, “He who believes is saved, and will be baptized later”. Jesus did not say, “He who believes and prays the sinner’s prayer is saved”. Let us not twist and change the simple words of Jesus. Do you want to be saved from your sins? Believe the gospel and be baptized and you will be saved. Do you refuse to believe the gospel of Christ? If so, then you will be condemned because of your sins. Come to Jesus. Believe and be baptized, and He will save you.
1 And in that day you will say: “O Lord, I will praise You; Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. 2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ” 3 Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:1–3, NKJV)
In the day of God’s redemption of His remnant, gathered from the four corners of the earth, the redeemed shout a joy of praise and thanksgiving (Isa. 11:11-12). This prophetic description of Jehovah’s praise by the saved is now fulfilled in Christ and His gospel (Rom. 1:16). Thus, Christians sing praises to God for His salvation (Col. 3:16). Isaiah expresses the confidence of salvation we now enjoy in Christ; Thanks be to God for His great salvation! The water of life is offered to all who will come to Jesus and drink (Jno. 4:10; Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17). The gospel will save you today and refresh you with salvation’s blessings: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19; 2:38). Become a Christian and share in the joy of salvation.
“And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:17)
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