Wednesday, November 18, 2009

II Peter 2:12-13 False Teachers-Their Condemnation

I have very little tolerance for false doctrine. I do understand that there are some things about which men and women of good conscience can disagree on because they are not central to the gospel. However, in a recent blog thread, I was responding to someone who made the claim that homosexuality is not a sin because Jesus never called it a sin. This individual went on to make other claims such as parts of the Bible are not inspired or that Paul’s writings reveal his own personal agenda and prejudice. Now, I’m no pugilist but I have to admit, when I hear stuff like that and then I refute it with the truth but the person still won’t back down, I want to pop them in the mouth. However, I’d settle for a good ol’ fashioned round of Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots.



When my God and His precious word are slandered, it gets my blood boiling. However, one day there will be a payday for all those who presume to speak for God but spread falsehood. Those people who pretend to be true teachers of the word will have their day in the court of heaven with the Judge who can’t be fooled or bribed. They will be justly condemned and eternally punished.

First of all, their condemnation will come because divine judgment will come on this sinful world. In Genesis, we read how the serpent, Satan, will have his head crushed. In Revelation, we read how Christ will come on a white horse with a sword to exact vengeance on this sinful world, thereby crushing Satan’s head. Peter tells us, continuing his description of these false teachers, that just as the animals he compares them to will be destroyed, these false teachers will also suffer destruction in divine judgment. The word translated “destruction” is a Greek word that describes something that is rotting. Just as the Pharisees in the time Jesus lived were called white washed tombs full of dead men’s bones, these false teachers put up a good front on the outside but on the inside rotting. The spiritual cancer of sin is eating them up slowly because they have rejected Jesus Christ. Someone diagnosed with cancer often times is given a pronouncement of how long they can expect to live. This world is rotting in sinful filth. All of creation is tainted by sin and will be destroyed. In that destruction, which has been predicted, these false teachers will also suffer personal divine judgment.

This divine judgment will deliver to these false teachers what they finally deserve. As Psalm 1 describes the wicked, they will be driven like straw in the wind—just blown all over the place. They will be helpless and hopeless in the face of almighty God. It will, in face, be exactly what they deserve. They will, as Peter writes in verse 13, find themselves “suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong”. They will have sowed into their life evil and rejected God and His word. They thought they could con people out of their money and gain fame and applause for themselves. They had positions of power and prestige. People looked up to them and they were for a time famous. However, this life is short and eternity isn’t. When it’s all said and done, they will know what Romans 6:23 means by “the wages of sin” because they will receive the wages they have earned. The harm and pain their false teaching caused will come back to them. They may have mocked God and His word for a time but He will have the last laugh in the end.

One life lesson I constantly try to reinforce with my children is that “Choices have consequences”. When false teachers choose to reject the truth and teach what they want they may have success for a while. The money may flow into their coffers and for a while, at least, they may live “high on the hog”. In the end, however, they will be judged. Their condemnation is certain and they will get exactly what’s coming to them.

12 comments:

Lydia said...

Hi Joe,

There seems to be a lot of false teaching about the Attributes of God. I consider it false teaching when it leaves out any attribute in favor of another.

One of the attributes that is often left out is the Wrath of God. Another is His perfect JUSTICE. We see it played down that Jesus said He did not come to bring peace but a sword.

So we are left with a certain faction of 'Christendom' who do not believe in or understand the Wrath of God. He is an consuming fire!

On the other hand, we have another faction that rarely discusses the Mercy of God. They like the Wrath of God because they do not think it pertains to them.

That is what I meant when we talked about this before. the Christian life is walking a razors edge. Unbalanced it becomes either license or legalism. that is what I think John is talking about in 1 John about walking in the light. We know we all sin but we are also told that sin is lawlessness and that without Holiness we will not see God.

Salvation is free but it is not an easy road. (Matthew 7)

So many want to make it easy by dumbing down sin. Others want control and be the pope, erasing the Holy Priesthood from the Word.

The only answer is that we become Bereans and beg the Holy Spirit to teach us and interpret the Word for us.

It is completely ignoring the text from Gen to Rev to say that homosexuality is not a grievous sin.

Now, does that mean we will not support and love our brothers and sisters struggling to break free? Of course not. It just means we love them too much to tell them it is not sin.

Joe Blackmon said...

I totally agree about the false teaching regarding God and His attributes. I personally think that is the most impoortant reason to preach the whole counsel of God's word. We must, as you said, as the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the whole truth as revealed in Scripture.

Hope to see you back, Lydia. Thanks for the encouragement.

Anonymous said...

Wow, you could have been standing in my kitchen listening to a conversation I had with someone I know! Thanks for the reassurance. I found myself angered at this person's take on scripture, yet saddened and concerned. I pray God opens her eyes.

Joe Blackmon said...

Trust me, I know what you mean, Anon. There are statements people make about God and God's word that get my blood to boiling so bad sometimes I could see myself doing something sinful. Praise God for His restraint.

I also pray that God will give your friend eyes to see and ears to hear.

Lydia said...

"I personally think that is the most impoortant reason to preach the whole counsel of God's word."

I was convicted that this is exactly what Paul was referring to in Acts 20. There is no blood on his head because he preached the 'whole counsel'.

If we leave out the Wrath part then how can anyone really understand the Cross?

And that is exactly what has happened.

Anonymous said...

It really is a razor's edge, Lydia. But no matter how many times we try to tell people that both truth and spirit are needed to balance each other, people only want one side.

And for the life of me I can't understand how failing to tell people what happens if they don't reconcile with God through Jesus is "loving". Or how they expect to reconcile without a Mediator who alone can represent both God and man.

Joe Blackmon said...

Lydia,

I would submit that unless someone knows what they need to be saved from they will not repent of their sins and trust Christ as Savior.

Joe Blackmon said...

Paula,

Exactly. If we don't proclaim a God who will punish sin we are not faithful to the revelation of God's Word.

Thanks for stopping by.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and Joe...

I completely understand what you're saying about wanting to punch someone who trashes the Name. If somebody trashed my husband, how would he feel if I just stood there, or if I made friends with the trash-mouth? I'm guessing that's how God feels when one of his alleged children stands idly by while others badmouth Him. So anybody who doesn't feel like punching someone like that is basically a traitor.

Joe Blackmon said...

Well, at least I know I'm not alone. Thank you. :-)

Anonymous said...

My pleasure. ;-)

And Lydia said to tell you she sent me. :-D

Joe Blackmon said...

You are both far too kind. Thanks for the comments and the visit.