"...then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority." 2 Peter 2:9-10
As I came across this passage this morning I was immediately disappointed. Last night we were talking about trials vs. temptation at our Community Group. We spent time sharing what helps us get through difficult times of both trials and temptations, and what verses has God given to us in order to remind us in those times. I stuck with some of my favorites 1 Cor 10:13-14, Heb. 2:17-18, 4:15, I also enjoyed people in our group sharing Romans 8;28 and Psalm 139. Yet I left out this verse, which I should of because it has not been one that I have turned to before to help me in times of trial.
There are two sides though to this promise. The first is the one that I am comfortable clinging to, that is that God rescues the godly from trials. Boy, I am a Christian and God is going to grab me by the neck and pull me out of difficult circumstances when I need it. That is wonderful and I should be encouraged by that. Yet the flip side of the coin is a little more harsh. God promises to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment. We know from Romans that this punishment consists of God turning them over to themselves. They get whatever their heart wants.
Then the next part really struck me, "especially those who indulge int he lust of defiling passion and despise authority." I was struck. The two areas Peter says God will keep people under punishment are sexuality gone haywire and hatred of authority. Is that an accurate description of the Bay Area or what? Every authority structure is questioned, government, family, business, even church. While everything is permissible sexually and anything that is outside the arena of Biblical sex is encouraged.
"These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm." 2 Peter 2:17 What is more disappointing than a waterless spring when you are thirst. You can pump and pump and pump and nothing good is going to come out of it. Even mists driven by a storm are useless. They are not the refreshing drenching that the land needs in order for it to bear a harvest. Our ministry's foundation is the one who claimed, "I am the living water." "Come to me all you thirsty and heavy laden I will give you rest." Jesus satisfies, and I find satisfaction only as I am satisfied in Him.
When I look at my own life it is not different from those whom I minister. God is still working through areas in my life where I am in sin regarding my sexuality. When I place my desire above God's glory, when I choose to define myself in being a man before being a slave to righteousness. I also hate when people tell me what to do. Even the people who are closest to me and have the greatest position of authority. My desire is to do things my own way. "Lord, lead us not into temptation..." Jesus taught us the correct prayer. Lord save us from ourselves. Allow us to make it through today not even thinking of ourselves but entirely focused up loving you and loving others.
As I came across this passage this morning I was immediately disappointed. Last night we were talking about trials vs. temptation at our Community Group. We spent time sharing what helps us get through difficult times of both trials and temptations, and what verses has God given to us in order to remind us in those times. I stuck with some of my favorites 1 Cor 10:13-14, Heb. 2:17-18, 4:15, I also enjoyed people in our group sharing Romans 8;28 and Psalm 139. Yet I left out this verse, which I should of because it has not been one that I have turned to before to help me in times of trial.
There are two sides though to this promise. The first is the one that I am comfortable clinging to, that is that God rescues the godly from trials. Boy, I am a Christian and God is going to grab me by the neck and pull me out of difficult circumstances when I need it. That is wonderful and I should be encouraged by that. Yet the flip side of the coin is a little more harsh. God promises to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment. We know from Romans that this punishment consists of God turning them over to themselves. They get whatever their heart wants.
Then the next part really struck me, "especially those who indulge int he lust of defiling passion and despise authority." I was struck. The two areas Peter says God will keep people under punishment are sexuality gone haywire and hatred of authority. Is that an accurate description of the Bay Area or what? Every authority structure is questioned, government, family, business, even church. While everything is permissible sexually and anything that is outside the arena of Biblical sex is encouraged.
"These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm." 2 Peter 2:17 What is more disappointing than a waterless spring when you are thirst. You can pump and pump and pump and nothing good is going to come out of it. Even mists driven by a storm are useless. They are not the refreshing drenching that the land needs in order for it to bear a harvest. Our ministry's foundation is the one who claimed, "I am the living water." "Come to me all you thirsty and heavy laden I will give you rest." Jesus satisfies, and I find satisfaction only as I am satisfied in Him.
When I look at my own life it is not different from those whom I minister. God is still working through areas in my life where I am in sin regarding my sexuality. When I place my desire above God's glory, when I choose to define myself in being a man before being a slave to righteousness. I also hate when people tell me what to do. Even the people who are closest to me and have the greatest position of authority. My desire is to do things my own way. "Lord, lead us not into temptation..." Jesus taught us the correct prayer. Lord save us from ourselves. Allow us to make it through today not even thinking of ourselves but entirely focused up loving you and loving others.
posted by michaelstevensrev at 9:50 AM
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