Saturday, April 16, 2011

A Worm In The Apple

“……for people are slaves of anything that controls them. They were made free from the evil in the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But if they return to evil things and those things control them, then it is worse for them than it was before.  Yes, it would be better for them to have never known the right way than to know it and to turn away from the holy teaching that was given to them.   What they did is like this true saying: "A dog goes back to what it has thrown up," and, "After a pig is washed, it goes back and rolls in the mud." II Peter 2:19-22   New Century Version

We have all seen people come to Christ and then turn away and become worse off than they were before.  We want to believe that there is hope for them.  We want to hold on to the possibility they will repent before it is too late.

That truth is none of us knows when that line of no return is crossed.   Only God knows and certainly everyone who repents is welcomed with open arms.

In this passage in II Peter 2, he is not talking about the weak Christians, but rather “show-Christians” and apostates.  These are the dogs and pigs he is referring to.

In II Peter 2:1-22, Peter does not hesitate to describe their end.  He depicts that they will bring destruction upon themselves, it will not delay in coming, the Lord reserves them under punishment for the day of judgment, they will be caught and destroyed in their own corruption, they are accursed, the blackest darkness is reserved for them, they are slaves to corruption, the latter end is worse than their beginning, it would have been better for them if they had not known the way of righteousness and they are unrepentant like dogs and pigs.

It does not look hopeful for them.  However, we know they can repent and be saved.  But in actuality, they will not do it.  The Bible indicates that clearly here.

Peter is warning us about the end for those who do not follow God and turn back to Satan’s ways.

A person who has turned back and lives a false life as pretending they are saved is like a worm in an apple.   This person can do much hidden damage, but God will not let anyone who does this get away with it.

Jesus still Shepherds His Church and protects us from harm. He is concerned about those who are barely escaping corruption because of the hidden worm.

God will not be mocked and He will expose the worms.

“For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.”    Mark 4:22  NLT

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