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.
