October 30
“The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children,” 2 Peter 2:9-14.
The Lord knows who the Christians are, and He delivers them from evil and gives them the strength to overcome temptations. On the other hand, He also knows who the ungodly are, who turn their hearts from the truth and who reject the Redeemer. They will enter into eternal punishment on the Day of Judgment. Peter is writing about people who live in the sins of the flesh and who reject all authority – not just the authority of people who are in positions of power, but they also reject God’s authority. He is speaking of arrogant people whose lives are summarized with the words, “I love me!” They have no reverence or respect for God or man.
The ungodly are portrayed as living like wild animals which are caught and destroyed. They speak evil of things about which they know nothing. They are people who enjoy living in sin and who boast and brag about sinning, especially sexual sins. They enjoy carousing around in broad daylight. They have eyes full of adultery which cannot cease from sinning, and they enjoy talking other people into living in sin with them! The bottom line is, in their unbelief and rejection of God’s grace and mercy offered through faith in Christ Jesus, they will receive the wages of unrighteousness, which are death and eternal damnation.
Peter is moved by the Holy Spirit to add another interesting comment. The good angels, who have far greater power and might than people who think that they are great, do not bring accusations against the ungodly before the Lord. God does not need anyone to report to Him how good or how bad anyone is!
As we read these words written by the apostle Peter, which describe the lives of the ungodly and the children of this world and the children of the devil, what does it say to us? It reminds us to follow the words of Jesus: “If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” John 8:31-32. Continue to search and study God’s Word for the strengthening of your faith in Jesus as the Son of God and your only Savior. Cling to Calvary’s cross with its assurance that, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” 1 John 1:7. Raise your head and see the penetrating look in the eye of the Lord Jesus, as the apostle Peter saw it on the first Good Friday. It is a look that convicts us of our sins, and then it is a look of love that gives the assurance of forgiveness for each and every sin in thought, desire, word, and deed. Strengthened in our Christian faith, we are enabled to resist the temptations of our sinful flesh, of the world, and of the devil. We are enabled to live as children of the heavenly Father.
“Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my All shalt be.
Perish ev’ry fond ambition,
All I’ve sought or hoped or known;
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heav’n are still mine own.” Amen.