I’m convinced we can, nay, must, live a holy life. God makes it possible with the freedom He gives us. But He also commands us to take responsibility for our lives. That’s the rub. Will we step up and be the men and women God empowers us to be? I think, yes.
Well, we can’t say we don’t have good examples. Nor can we say we just didn’t understand. We have examples galore. There is a good life. It's a way of truth; those with faith and obedience to Jesus will be rewarded by God (Revelation 22:12).
The wages of rebellion and false teaching, however, by those who “deny the Master who bought them” is another matter (2 Peter 2:1). Sadly, we too have lots of bad examples in the church as Peter and Jesus said we would. The good news is that it’s a glorious day to live well and to be the example God wants us to be.
As we contemplate the betrayal of Jesus in this chapter, ask a few questions that I believe are worth asking. Did God spare the angels who sinned, those who are far greater in power and strength than we are? Did God spare the ancient world who sinned - those before Noah who were warned of God’s righteous judgment before the flood? No, He didn't.
God has given us countless examples of what will happen to ungodly people (2 Peter 2:4-22). We leave eternal judgment of all people, including Judas Iscariot, to King Jesus. However, Jesus doesn’t leave us wondering. The Bible says Judas was “headed for destruction” (John 17:12). So is anyone who gets tangled up and enslaved by sin - those who reject the command of Jesus to live a holy life (2 Peter 2:21). Yikes, that wakes me up. I need another cup of coffee before we go on.
You see, God can rescue godly people from their trials. Thank God! It’s His character to do so - He loves His children. Yet Jesus Christ who holds all authority from the Father is also perfectly just. Remember, “For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:4).
The Bible says that in the church there will be false teachers who cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master. So yes, angels had the ability to sin, the ancient world people were not spared due to their sins, and the unglody people who make up clever lies to get ahold of your money, those who indulge in shameful immorality, following their own twisted sexual desires, despising authority, and who are known for their pride and arrogance - are all headed for destruction. They may hold positions of authority, titles, and wealth. It does not matter. They will face the Jesus.
God gives fair warning as to who He will and will not spare. They are deceived and in their pride and arrogance, they scoff at supernatural things that they do not understand. They have faith - it's just not well placed. They take a big bet, like Judas, and think they know better than God.
God condemned them long ago. Noah, the prophets, Jesus and His Word warn us of God’s righteous judgment. We have freedom and responsibility. That's the theme these days - ask Reed Hastings at Netflix - it's their culture motto.
But for those of us in Christ we know the stakes are higher than an annual report or a share price. We were bought at a price, the highest price. No one can take us from God. But do not be tricked. Believers can and do wander off the right road and follow the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong (2 Peter 2:15). Do you know people like that - those addicted to money and the things of this world.? Pray for them. Pray that each of us stays true to Jesus alone. There but for the grace of God go I.
In this glorious and wonderful life God gives us we have decisions to make. We’ll make many today. We are encouraged by God’s word and the Holy Spirit to grow in godliness. We are slaves to whatever controls us. To produce much fruit (as John 15:8 says every true believer must do) we must develop in holiness.
Let’s encourage each other and help each other to grow as the Bible says with more: faith in Jesus, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love for everyone.
God forbid we wander off the right path. Do not follow your evil desires today. They end in destruction. And if you do, repent. Do not follow arrogant, greedy men who seek to deceive others for gain. And do not betray Jesus Christ our holy God and our faithful Rescuer.
God is not being slow about His promises. God is being patient for our sake. God “does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9).
It’s our day to shine, to use God’s patience wisely. Yes, we see a stark difference in John 18 between Jesus, the “I AM” and the weak and pathetic betrayer, Judas. Jesus is deep in prayer for His disciples and for all the children of the Kingdom of God. Judas sneaks away and comes back with the motley mob.
When the betrayer, the Roman commanding officer and the Temple guards show up, we see the bravery of Jesus. A man’s man. Jesus steps forward and asks, “Who are you looking for?” (18:4, 7). Judas is pictured standing with the mob and their torches, lanterns, and weapons. But unlike Jesus, Judas is a weak man with no authority or righteousness (18:5). When Jesus speaks “they all drew back and then fell to the ground” (18:6). And when Jesus steps forward and tells the mob to take Him and let the others go, you hear not a peep from the Romans or the Jews. Jesus laid down His life by His own volition.
Jesus stood up for His men. He always has and He always will. The question now, for those of us born of women, will we step forward with Jesus and take responsibility and grow and produce good fruit as He commands us to do? Do not fret for or envy the wicked. Yes, they seem to be getting ahead. We shall not desire their destination.
Jesus is the Judge of all people. And His judgment is good and pure and right. We are to be concerned with the great responsibility given to us (our family, our work, and our service to our Christ). We may not have the full picture, nor do we need to have it. But from Jesus we have everything we need to live a godly life.
Thank You Jesus for all who follow You today, please bless and lead us. Amen.
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