2 Peter 2:17-22

Pursue Holiness
Wait Patiently for Jesus’ Return
Freedom Is Only Found in Jesus
2 Peter 2:17-22
Interpretive Guidelines to Help Understand our Text
- There are many similarities between first century Roman culture and 21st century Western culture
- Peter’s letter attacked false teachers and immoral behavior in the church, not so much in the world
- Christian morality in the first century made it almost inevitable that the church would be persecuted
John Frame: In general, to say that God is transcendent is to say that he is exalted, above, beyond us. To say that God is immanent is to say that he is present in time and space, that he is near us.
If, according to Seven Smith, the sacred exists within this world, then “we can consecrate the world from within.” It is up to us to make the world a better place, and a better place is where people feel free to be who they are. If, on the other hand, you believe that God is transcendent, or the Creator of the world and the source of all life, then we are accountable to live as he requires.
1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
Robert George, the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University: Paganism (in the first century) could not, and would not, tolerate the Christians – even when Christianity was far too weak to pose any real challenge to political authority. It was not that Roman authorities refused to allow minority religions of any kind in the empire; those that could coexist with the dominant paganism were allowed to do just that. But the Romans perceived Christianity as a threat – and Christian ideas about sex (and, in consequence, about the Roman sexual practices) figured significantly in that perception. They feared that Christianity would, in Steven Smith’s evocative phrase, “turn out the lights on that ‘merry dance.’” And that, of course, is what Christianity eventually did.
Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.
Ephesians 1:14 (, , , the Holy Spirit) is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
Application from 2 Peter 2:17-22
- Patterns that are found in Scripture run deep throughout history and in individual lives – be wise
- The world is always going to oppose biblical truth and Christian morality – be forewarned
- False teachers in the church will always seek to persuade weak believers to abandon the narrow way – be wary
- Even persecution cannot kill the joy of believers who walk with Jesus – be unwavering
John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my (Jesus’) disciples, if you have love for one another.
1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
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