Looking Back

2 Peter 2:4-21
4. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, “putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; 5. If he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6. if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7. And if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8. (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard) – 9. If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 10. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; 11. Yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. 12. But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.
13. They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. 14. With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed – an accursed brood! 15. They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.
16. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey – an animal without speech – who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness. 17. These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity – for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” 20. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangles in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
 
Is it good to look back? Does it help us to learn from history? Can we learn from mistakes made by others (whether that be governments or individuals)? What about successes from the past – like how people succeeded to build an amazing enterprise? Have you learned by watching family members and judged what you wanted to copy or discard? In our passage today I believe this is what Peter seems to be doing. He’s reminding people of the wickedness that resulted in
the flood for many and how Noah and seven others were spared because they listened to God. Peter also points out the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and how only a few righteous were saved. You may wonder if Lot was really very righteous, but apparently there was something that kept him on the path to get him out of Sodom and Gomorrah and stay on God’s side of things. Peter goes on to tell us how Balaam, son of Bezer, needed the help of a talking donkey to spare his life!!

There are so many stories of people making wrong choices and what results. Peter also points out in verse 20 something he believes is the worst mistake we can make. It talks of learning or hearing the truth of the gospel and what God offers us through Jesus and then choose to go back to what the world has to offer! I believe it is important to understand this does not mean we can lose our salvation but instead refers to hearing the truth and reject going God’s way – then your judgement is worse. It sounds similar to Lot’s wife who knew the danger looming over Sodom and Gomorrah but looked back because she loved the world more than fearing the warning of eminent destruction from God. Our responsibility is greater when we know the truth and reject it. Let me stress this is not meaning that we never sin or make mistakes once we belong to God. We have too many stories of people who did just that in scripture. As we study the Passion Week, we see a lot of mistakes made by Jesus’ disciples and his followers, but they were still God’s children.

Why is Peter saying all this or challenging us this way? Notice with me the last chapter of 2 Peter as I believe he gives us the reason there:

2 Peter 3:3-4 says, “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

He goes on to remind us of the Lord’s patience to give everyone time to repent and how time is not a factor for God as 1000 years are like a day to him!! His main reminder to all of us who believe is not to try to figure out the exact day of Jesus return, but instead realize:

Judgement is coming – 2 Peter 3:10 – But the day of the Lord WILL come like a thief. The heavens WILL disappear with a roar; the elements WILL be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it WILL be laid bare.

So now what kind of people ought we to be??

Let’s pray we realize only Jesus can cover our weaknesses with forgiveness, as we have been learning in the sermons of transformation from the stories of Luke. Realize he loves us so much that he died for us and rose again and is our high priest in heaven who will come again! If you are not sure you have accepted his gift of life speak to one of our pastors or someone you trust and is a strong example of faith in Jesus. Through the years I’ve had times of doubt – am I REALLY God’s child?? Is his Spirit in me?? This verse helped take away some doubt:

1 Corinthians 12:3 “Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.”

To me this verse points out it isn’t possible to say Jesus is Lord of my life without the help of his indwelling Spirit! Proclaiming and believing this makes me God’s child and covers my sin!

I know without a doubt I believe Jesus is Lord of all things in the universe and most importantly Lord of my life!!! My prayer is you can believe this too!