2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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THE DOG TO ITS OWN VOMIT, THE SOW TO THE MIRE!
THURSDAY, JUNE 25
2 Peter 2:20-22
Psalm 36:1-4
“For this is the will of God,
even your sanctification.”
THE DOG TO ITS OWN VOMIT, THE SOW TO THE MIRE!
The discussion about what appears to be a temporary reformation continues here in our text for today. It is possible even for unregenerate men to exercise self-control and put off some wicked ways. However, if they are reforming without genuine repentance or faith that can produce obedience, they would soon return to their old ways or similar sinful practices.
Holiness is not just refusing to do some evil deeds. It is constant yielding in obedience to God. It is also a strong hatred toward sin. They professed a kind of knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, which was also exhibited by their partial or temporary avoiding of sin. Many people who have been to church and have heard the Gospel know what it is to live like a Christian. Then they try to live like a genuine Christian without repentance.
But when “they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (2 Pet 2:20). They become such a dishonour and shame to Christ and the Church that Peter wished that “it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them” (2 Pet 2:21).
Peter then moved on to tell us why it was better that they had never been on the Lord’s side. The Apostle set himself to prove that a state of apostasy is worse than a state of ignorance, because apostasy ridicules the way of righteousness. Their carnal living seems to declare that the way of Christ allows the way of sin. This is blasphemy. Since genuine Christianity would not permit licentious living, their habits are an evidence of their unregenerate condition. Though a dog or a pig is cleansed outwardly, its inward natural animal disposition remains, compelling it to do the vile things it normally does. So are those apostates who are not truly born again.
THOUGHT: He who learns Christ, unlearns sin.
PRAYER: May my words and actions always bring glory to Christ. May I hate every evil way that causes shame to my Lord.