May 13
11
FRUITS AND MOTIVE OF FALSE TEACHERS
2 Peter 2: 1-10
All false teachers will either deny or diminish the truth that God in Christ is Just and the Justifier of his elect people and at the same time exalt the sinner in some way. True teaching declares always: ruined by the fall, the successful redemption accomplished by Christ Jesus the GodMan who laid down his life for his sheep (Is 42: 4; Jn 10: 15; Heb 9: 12, 26; 10: 14) and the necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Jn 3: 3-8; 6: 63). True teaching declares: “Thy God reigneth and all flesh is grass.” (Is 40: 6; 52: 7) This text gives us some of the fruits and the end of false teachers.
A Large Following
Many shall follow false teachers. (Mt 7: 13-14; Rev 13: 3; 2 Tim 4: 3-4) We live in a day when many are religious. Man is religious by nature. It is not difficult for false teachers to attract a following. Preachers listen for what men want them to preach and oblige. Always test what we hear by the scriptures.
Evil Ways
In verse ten we are told false teachers walk in the lust of uncleanness. If a man’s cleanness came by him washing himself rather than having been washed by the blood of Christ in regeneration of the Holy Spirit then the man will live his life for his flesh rather than God.
False teachers despise government. When the doctrine is that man has power to allow God to save him they give the church power over God, the bride power over the Husband, the child over the Father. They speak great swelling words about church government but exercise power over men as lords refusing to submit to the LORD of heaven and earth.
False teachers are presumptuous. Where there is no fear of God, men presume that hearing the preaching of the gospel and the fellowship of the saints is not important. They presume they were saved by an act of their will now they can get on with their lives.
False teachers are self-willed. When a man preaches salvation by man’s will rather than the will of God the life is marked by pride. There will be continual boasting of their great success in converting sinners as if they are adding to the church daily such as should be saved rather than Christ our Head.
False teachers are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Where God is not ruling the heart men speak flippantly of God, of Christ and of the powers that God has ordained in the church, in the home and in civil government. (Rom 13: 1)
Brethren, God does not save his child to continue in sinful ways but he turns us into Christ the Way from our sin. We are yet sinners; men will say evil things about us. Yet, in all our conduct strive to follow after godliness, walking by faith, in love and patience and meekness. We do not want the way of truth to be evil spoken of. (2 Pet 2: 2)
Covetous Hearts
The souls of men are a way to enrich self to false teachers. Men even think they have enriched themselves so that they can come to God. Brethren, give YOU to Christ. True preachers would rather see you present seeking Christ and your money absent than your money present and you absent. God’s preachers are to be supported and they are thankful for that support. But true preachers will gladly decrease that the gospel might continue with you that you might increase through the riches of Christ. This is the heart God gives his servants, “I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15: And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” (2 Cor 12: 14-15)
The End of False Teachers and Their Followers
The end will be destruction and damnation by the judgment of God. God did not spare the angels that sinned or the old world before the flood or Sodom and Gomorrah. God is reserving the unjust unto the Day of Judgment. (Pro 16: 4) These words make the true servant of God hit his face in reverence and sober-mindedness.
The Lord Knows How to Deliver the Godly
We are comforted in that God saved Noah and Lot. Though evil abound as false teachers increase, though many go after them and the way of truth be evil spoken of, the word of God is not bound! Our God has a people chosen by him who he has made just by the precious blood of his Son. God is able to bring the truth to his child like he did to Noah and Lot. God is able to make his word effectual in their heart. God is able to deliver his own and keep them from falling. It is impossible for the elect of God to be deceived and impossible for one of God’s sheep to be lost, God will not allow it! (John 10: 27-29)
Clay Curtis.