For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
— 2 Peter 2:20 —
Dmitriy Zherebnenkov: Word of Grace Bible Institute | USA
This passage was not written for the purpose of creating theological arguments and debates, but rather to serve the church. Look at this passage as an instrument in God’s hands that can help any believer. There are two lessons that can be taken from this passage. The first lesson is the purity of the gospel. It is dangerous to come so close to the gospel and yet not submit to it in perseverance. It is dangerous to come so close to the gospel and yet not submit to it in perseverance. The sad reality is that counterfeit Christianity often functions in this way—close enough to the gospel to be welcomed and accepted, yet still lacking the saving and transforming power of it. The second lesson is that the gospel must liberate people from the bondage of sin (Rom. 6:22). When a person truly believes the gospel and puts his trust in the Lord, the truth liberates such a person (John 8:32) to be able to say no to sin. Take time to evaluate your own understanding of the gospel (1 Tim. 4:16). Thank God if what you believe is rooted in truth as it is presented in the Bible. This is one of the ways God will preserve you for eternity. Also, if you find yourself struggling with sin, may this passage alert you and encourage you to remember that the true believer has all the necessary power to overcome sin and that he must do so. Pray specifically for people who are held captive by any false gospel, that they might find freedom from the bondage to any half-truth and sin.
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