“How To Rescue” – 2 PETER 2:1-9

We know what to do.

Jesus has told us, and the Word is preserved for our instruction and guidance. We have each other and we have the Presence of God in us. Answering the call of Christ to go out into the world brings on the fear of rejection and the burden of standing for truth.

Peter went out “two by two” during Jesus public ministry, and then he went out after Jesus’ ascension to the Father. Putting myself in Peter’s shoes, I would imagine both circumstances would be hard. While He was on earth, Peter knew he could always go to Jesus for assurance because he could see Him and touch Him. In the church age, it is by faith that we go to Him for assurance and let Him touch our lives.

Let’s consider two truths that must always guide us.

First, Satan knows how to deceive. Even as the disciples went out “two by two”, there were folks whose hearts were hardened waiting on them. The “destructive heresy” (2:1) of the Pharisees was that Jesus of Nazareth was not the Messiah. While the angle has changed in our day, Satan still has folks ready to preach that same message and reject Jesus. Sometimes heresy is more subtle, but it is no less destructive. Little by little, step by step, people are drawn away from Jesus as the “Way of truth” is slandered (2:2). Notice Peter’s clear assertion … there is one “Way”, not many ways. We live in a world that teaches many ways, some of them even “include” Jesus.

Peter asks a great question. What do we expect God to do with us if we wander from His way?

Second, Jesus knows how to rescue. Left to our own righteousness or our own navigational abilities we are hopelessly lost. I can go and live, preach and teach the gospel of Lee all day long and no one will move one step closer to God. I am not the arbiter of truth, Jesus is. While the expectation remains that those rejecting Jesus will be condemned, Jesus said He did not come to condemn, but to save. While lostness is inevitable because we do not know how to rescue ourselves, Jesus knows how (2:9). His rescue is first from sin and then from snares. In saving us from sin, He calls us to go back out and fight the lion. A simple trusting faith assures us that the One who can wash away sin is surely able to rescue us from the wolves.

We “go out” and fight, and then we “come back” and replenish. Some call that “church”. Jesus calls it salvation. See you Sunday!