Focal Passage: II Peter 2:1-3, 17-19; Jude 17-23
I am currently teaching Contemporary World Religions in Seminary Extension, because the nations are coming to our cities and we need to know what they believe. The course is mostly a study of spiritual darkness. It reveals the numerous pathways, both at home and abroad, that people are taking to avoid the cross of Christ and embrace intricately woven lies. Peter warned that false prophets would infiltrate the early church with heresies that deny Christ and bring spiritual destruction (II Peter 2:1), and the battle continues today.
False teachers become a poison in local churches because people follow their “depraved ways,” and malign the truth (v. 2:2). Notice the exchange. In spite of what the kingdom of darkness wants people to believe, one cannot simply choose a contradictory set of beliefs and follow them.
For example, you cannot believe you are saved by God’s grace and simultaneously believe that your salvation ultimately will be granted because your good works outweigh the wrongs you have done. You will accept one belief and ridicule the other. To accept anything other than the gospel of Jesus Christ is to stake your eternity on “man-made stories” (II Peter 2:3a).
Peter sternly warned that such false teachers are “springs without water” and “mists driven by a storm” (II Peter 2:17). An empty spring is useless and a mere falling mist cannot sustain the earth. Mere religion may come with sophisticated rituals and philosophies, but they are forms without substance. They cannot deliver the peace and fulfillment they promise, and what they do provide amounts to no more than deck chairs on the Titanic.
Throughout the history of world religions and cults, new movements have been started by people who longed for improvements on the faith scene.
Each new group changed the standards of its previous belief system, and/or exalted a new spiritual leader who alone understood the newly received “revelation.” Peter warned that such deceivers use boastful empty words, and even sexual enticement, to seduce the weak (II Peter 2:18). As slaves to sin, they offer freedom they can neither experience nor deliver (II Peter 2:19).
False teachers typically meet or exceed the expected trappings of religion, including buildings, furnishings, inspirational leadership, etc. Yet they lack any heaven-sent power. Like a classic car that is listed for sale as a “roller,” there is nothing under the hood!
Peter condemns such teachers as worldly and divisive because they do not have the Spirit (II Peter 2:19). As Jesus taught in Acts 1:8, we have power only because the Holy Spirit fills us.
Like the disciples, familiarity with Jesus still leaves us unable to do God’s work until the Spirit gives us power. Consequently, strategizing in the flesh will only bring the results human strength and wisdom can produce. The world already has all the worldliness it can stand. We are called to display the miraculous power of heaven on the earth. Isn’t that what we pray for?
It’s time to stop pushing powerless vehicles and start ministering by the Holy Spirit’s power. Then, and only then, will we experience the miraculous life-changing power of God. “Build yourselves up in your most holy faith” (Jude 20) so your church won’t be a “roller.” B&R — Rust is associational mission strategist for Holston Baptist Association.