[404 words]
When you read the title, you probably said to yourself, “What could possibly be worse than being lost?” Good question. Here is the answer: Being Lost Again!
One of the great themes of the epistle of 2 Peter is faithful Christian living. Peter himself knew how easy it is to fall from a faithful life, since he had denied the Lord three times during the Lord’s trial. His own treacherous betrayal must never have been too far from his thoughts, though he had repented and served the Lord faithfully since that time. In chapter two, Peter, the recovered deserter, tenderly warns Christians not to depart from the Lord. He warns of the ever-present danger of false teachers who lead astray (2:1-3). He unmasks their evil motives of covetousness and immorality (2:14-15).
Then, in a startling passage (v. 20-21), the apostle writes, “For after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”
Peter clearly teaches that it is WORSE to be LOST AGAIN. Yes, it is surely worse for one who has enjoyed the benefits of salvation, and the joy it brings, to return to the world (Heb. 6:1-6). One who does so “tramples the Son of God underfoot” and counts the blood which Jesus shed for his soul “a common thing” and insults “the Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:28-29)! The apostate crucifies his Lord all over again by his betrayal (Heb. 6:6). It is bad enough never to come to Christ, but to have enjoyed His fellowship, His forgiveness, and His church, and then to forsake it is to show absolutely no regard for the Savior and His sacrifice!
Peter likens such unfaithfulness to a clean pig which returns to wallow in the mire, or a dog which returns to its own vomit. Truly disgusting are these pictures. And so is forsaking Christ! Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Dear wayward Christian, will you consider what you are doing?
Darwin Hunter
Sunset church of Christ
Shreveport, LA