The Judgment of False Teachers
Open Your Bible
2 Peter 2:1-22, John 10:27-29, Ephesians 2:19-22
BY Kaitie Stoddard
In high school, we learned the basic structure of a great story: conflict, climax, and resolution. You start with conflict; the obstacle in the story that the main character must overcome. Then you need a climax; the dramatic turning point where the battle is faced head-on. And finally, you give the reader resolution; the conflict is defeated, and the story concludes. You’ll notice most of our beloved books and movies follow this format.
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that life doesn’t usually play out like a movie. There’s not always a simple three-part storyline. And sadly, there is sometimes no obvious resolution to our problems.
Our reading from Peter’s second letter addresses the resolution coming for false teachers. Peter calls out religious teachers profiting from a blasphemous version of the gospel. Make no mistake, Peter saw this as a serious offense. Yet, while their sin was worthy of death, many of the false teachers seemed to keep prospering in their work.
Peter’s letter to believers essentially says, “You may not see the resolution right now, but let me tell you how this story is going to end.” Peter declares that God is for the good of His people, and the Lord will fiercely defend His children from evil. Peter reminds us that God fights for His people. He’s not some fairy godmother who shows up to grant our wishes. Peter recalls how the Lord destroyed whole cities and even sent a flood because of His wrath and judgment against wrongdoing.
Sometimes we squirm a bit when we hear about God’s wrath. We might feel more comfortable with depictions of the sacrificial Lamb or the overflowing Spirit. But when we cut out the God of justice, we miss out on a vital part of the Lord’s heart. Perhaps we squirm because we know deep down we deserve wrath too. But the greatest story of all time shows we have nothing to fear.
The story of Jesus started in the garden, where the great conflict of sin entered stage left. From that time on, men and women tried to overcome their flaws and put the world back together with little success. It’s not until Jesus took center stage, bearing the weight of the world’s sin on the cross, that we reached the true climax of the story. Because the Lord knows how to rescue us (2 Peter 2:9), He knew how death needed to be defeated. Christ was raised victorious, and all who call on His name will enter the kingdom of heaven with Him. When you’re in the midst of a struggle with no resolution in sight, remember how this grand story ends.
33 thoughts on "The Judgment of False Teachers"
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God keep me from being a waterless spring, destroyed in my destructive ways. Help me not by in to false promises of freedom and lead me to real freedom as I surrender and summit to your rule and reign in my life. Amen.
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There are no cold case files with God. He knows all and will bring justice to all and for all. He knows best how and when. I’m comforted that He will and that He will do so in ways that give individuals every opportunity to repent and come to Him. He does not desire for any one to perish but He is not flippant about rebellion and sin.
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“The Lord knows how…” 2 Peter 2:9
What great comfort this is.
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The Lord knows how to rescue us and better yet “no one is able to snatch them (us) from the Father’s hand” (Ephesians 2:19-22).
The just lifted my heart today!
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“When you’re in the midst of a struggle with no resolution in sight, remember how this grand story ends.” I love this statement! A youth pastor friend of our family signs all of his communication with the phrase, “After all, we win!” What an encouraging thought!
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My mother-in-law had emergency surgery about 6 weeks ago and they found colon cancer. Last night she was in ER again. It is not good. On earth, today, things are unsure and difficult, but, we know the end. She loves Jesus and if she is called from this earth, she will be with Him for eternity. Her precious parents, (whom I also love dearly, dearly) are already there, as well as one of her children who died at age 4. Maybe there will still be some time here yet, it doesn’t look good. It appears we are at a climax, but God, went before us and provided a way for life eternal with Him. He IS the resolution.
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Praying for her and your family.
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Praying!! ❤️
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Praying! I’m so glad to hear that she’s a believer. <3
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People not following the rules and getting away with it frustrate me to no end. I want everyone to have to play by the same rules and if they don’t then I want them to bear the consequences. But life isn’t fair or equitable (and as I tell my students when they complain that things aren’t fair – “Suck it up, buttercup.”) I’m thankful for this reminder that the Lord knows how to rescue His children from trials. I just need to trust Him.
I have a quote written in my Bible from David Platt. It says, “We don’t have to right every wrong done to us because we have the promise that God will exercise His righteous judgment at Christ’s coming. God is more than capable to balance the books.”
Lord, help me to trust You more and more every day.-
Kathy, I am completely with you. I can be pretty bossy about it, too. It just makes sense to me! Rules are there for a reason, so why bother breaking them? I don’t understand that rebellion. But I need to remember that God will handle them on His terms. I need to trust Him to do His work (who’da thunk??).
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I love a good ending! And the story of Christ’s love for me has the best ending—I have nothing to fear! He defeated death for me!❤️
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