Slave

I am currently reading through 2 Peter. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

2 Peter 2

19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.

Slave. Peter spends a lot of time, between verse 2 and verse 19, talking about the consequences of following false teaching. Then, he writes this thought ... “you are a slave to whatever controls you.” That is a great point that leads to a pointed questions ... What controls you? In other words, what influences the decisions you make ... you, someone else, something else or God?

I am currently reading through 2 Peter. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

2 Peter 2

1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.

2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.

False. For those of you that were confused (like me) the first time you came across the word heresy, it is an opinion or belief that is contrary to what the church teaches. Peter spent the first section of this letter (chapter 1) encouraging these Jesus followers to continue growing in their faith and stand firm in what they had been taught ... now you know why. It is the same reason I keep encouraging you to be reading/studying God’s Word on a daily basis ... so your journey can continue on “the way of truth”.

Confidence

I am currently reading through 2 Peter. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

2 Peter 1

16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes

17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” *

18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place - until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.

Confidence. When you have moments of doubt about this journey, reread this passage and be reminded that this isn’t some made-up story. These are real people that have experienced God in a real way ... and you can too.

*The moment Peter is recounting can be found in Mark 9:2-7.