Vomit Dog

Killing me softly with His Words: Selections from 1 & 2 Peter.

Punishment . . . This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority . . . they are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures . . . they never stop sinning . . . they have left the straight way and wondered off . . . These men are springs without water and mists driven by the storm. . . Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words . . . they are slaves of depravity – for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than at the beginning. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit”. . .

How close am I to such men? How often do I plunge into the same flood of dissipation (1 Pet. 4: 4) given to be deluged and destroyed (2 Pet. 3: 6). What separates me from them? Grace, calling, glory – enabling strength, firmness . . . restoration (1 Pet. 5: 10). A Price paid – redemption from the empty way (1 Pet. 1: 18). As the result (of Christ’s sufferings at the Cross) I will not live this earthly life for my evil desires (1 Pet. 4: 1-2), but as a stranger in reverent fear (1 Pet. 1: 17), shielded by faith (1 Pet. 1: 5), divinely empowered (2 Pet. 1: 3), on guard, growing in grace, to His glory! (2 Pet. 3: 17-18). Mercy, Lord – plead grace and mercy.