READING: Jeremiah 47-49; Psalm 80, 2 Peter 2
At my seminary (Southeastern Seminary), we are expositing the book of 2 Peter in our socially-distanced chapel services this semester. I was deeply honored when president Akin asked me to be one of the preachers—but I was quickly distressed when I learned my assignment was 2 Peter 2:10-22. There’s just little good in these texts: false, blasphemous teachers, irrational leaders, adulterous eyes, stumbling-block influencers, deceived “believers” who never believed in the first place, dogs returning to their vomit. This is simply not the text I would have chosen on my own!
Nevertheless, the passage is a reminder that false teachers can, in fact, infiltrate the church. Masquerading as teachers of righteousness, they only deceive and mislead—even while they’re apparently sharing meals with the people of God! For that reason, we must surely hold each other accountable to both our teaching and our lifestyle (that is, to the primary focus of 2 Peter 2), whether in one-on-one discipling, small group facilitating, weekly preaching, or simply sharing life-on-life. None of us should be so bold and arrogant that we ignore others around us.
Instead, our commitment to mutual accountability and responsibility should make it much more difficult for the enemy to infiltrate our congregations. May God help us!
PRAYER: “Lord, I long to be faithful to You in my lifestyle and my teaching.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 50-51; 2 Peter 3
*If you want to hear the sermon, here’s the link: 2 Peter 2:10-22