Category: 2 Peter

Freedom

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:17-22 (day four)

…promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.

A common mark of false teachers is that they portray their teaching, their way of life, or the product they’re pushing, as one that will bring you freedom. It might be the freedom to do what you want without consequences, the freedom to pursue worldly things without constraint, the freedom of sexual expression, or the freedom from the restrictions of traditional morality.

Americans might be especially susceptible to this. Freedom is kind of our whole schtick, isn’t it? If something is painted as a constraint to our freedom, we naturally want to cast it off.

Peter reminds us that Jesus also taught about freedom, but the freedom we see him offering looks very different from the false teachers described here. The freedom we’re offered through Christ is the freedom from sin, the freedom to serve, the freedom from fear, the freedom to approach the throne of God with boldness, the freedom to pursue a holy life, clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

This is true freedom. Be wary of messages that promote a kind of “freedom” that looks and sounds different from that of Christ, whatever the source. Galatians 5:1, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”

Our Gain is Jesus

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:17-22 (day two)

 These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. v. 17

Promises given by false teachers will always be what you want to hear. They will always guarantee success, happiness, or gain. That is why they are so popular. We don’t want to hear about struggle, about sacrifice, or about self-denial. Those things don’t get votes, they don’t excite the masses, and they don’t fill seats, but they are often the reality of any believer’s journey. I don’t want to paint a picture of a dire strife-filled existence in Christ, but I want my teachers to be honest about what it means to put your faith in something eternal rather than something temporal. We may not get the brass ring we are reaching for here on earth, but each follower of Christ WILL achieve the eternal glory of life with Jesus. Is your faith dependent upon whether you get wealthy? Are you needing some material gain in order to serve the body of Christ? This kind of thinking will only end in disappointment. Our gain is Jesus. This will be sufficient.

Monday Re:Vlog – 10/27/25

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:17-22 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty, and Associate Pastor Bryan Richardson walk us through 2 Peter 2:17-22 in our Fall Re:Verse Series: “2 Peter – Standing Firm in the Faith.”

Masses or Master

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:10-16 (day seven)

[…] to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,  and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. vs 9-10

False teachers are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They are crafty and cunning. They say things that make you feel good. They tickle your ears and scratch your itch. They will have a large following and will seem prosperous, but God tells us that their judgment is coming!

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. James 3:1

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:6

God takes His teaching seriously. Teaching to tickle ears may please the masses, but they are not pleasing the Master. All of us as Christians should not take this warning lightly. We are all called to lead and teach. Whether it is a small group, large group, or just our family, we are all responsible for passing on the Promises of God. Who are you aiming to please through your teachings?

Living in Humility

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:10-16 (day 6)

The false teachers Peter describes were proud and arrogant, despising authority. Pride always begins with the same lie whispered in Eden: You don’t need God. You can decide what’s good on your own. But humility is the joyful posture of remembering that life, meaning, and goodness begin outside of us, in God Himself.

Life in the Spirit begins here. The humble heart knows that every breath, every insight, and every step of wisdom is a gift. It’s not self-deprecation; it’s dependence. It’s Adam and Eve before the fall—walking with God in trust. The proud say, “I’ve got this.” The humble say, “I need You.”

When we live in humility, we make space for the Spirit to lead, teach, and bear fruit in us. That’s where true freedom begins.

Words

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:10-16 (day five)

Words are an invaluable treasure in God’s economy. He spoke the world into existence (Genesis 1). His Son is often referred to as The Word (John 1). He has intentionally chosen to reveal Himself in the scriptures (John 5). If words are that important and significant to the Lord, they should be to us as well. What and how we read and listen are important. Being intentional to “hear” what is being said (preached) is crucial. That is one of the “litmus tests” Peter prescribes in pointing out false teachers- their words. 3 times (revile) in this short passage, Peter points to what is being said (or not said) as a telling indicator of a false teacher. We must listen, read, and hear with supernatural discernment that comes from the Spirit. Wanna spot a fake?  Want clarity on their heart?  Want guidance on whom to trust and follow?  Pay attention to their words.  “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭ “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬-‭22‬

Ancient

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:10-16 (day four)

We’re bombarded with news headlines about the latest tragedies of the world. When we’re taking in a constant stream of information about violence, political tension, and cultural upset, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of it all. The world is heavy, sin is real, and tragedy is all around us. When we add that to our own trauma, fears, and concerns, it can almost be too much to bear.

When Peter brings up Balaam, Noah, and Lot, he’s reminding us that sin and violence are ancient. The issues we face in this life are not new; they are ancient problems with a fresh coat of paint that we can trace all the way back to Genesis. But he’s also reminding us that God’s justice is ancient as well. It existed before sin entered the world and it is sure and steadfast.

God’s justice is eternal. If it prevailed in the lives of Balaam, Noah, and Lot, it will prevail in our lives too. Our faith is anchored in the Ancient of Days, and this allows us to face the world without fear.

Numb

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:10-16 (day three)

“Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble…”

Peter speaks of people who have become numb to their feelings. Consider: trembling is the body’s response to danger detected by the nervous system. In such a case, the body is feeling and signaling the gravity of the situation. A person can over time shut down and numb that experience of the nervous system for a variety of reasons – sometimes because fear seems alien and threatening, and other things like riches or power or position can offer a distraction and an anesthetic to fear. But if a person becomes numb to feelings, he or she will try increasingly extreme behaviors in order just to feel something, anything – up to and including destructive and deceptive behavior. People who can’t feel revulsion in the presence of evil will burn themselves and others in their attempt to feel something.

Unexpected Voices

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:10-16 (day two)

…but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. v. 16

When was the last time you were stopped in your tracks by something unexpected? There are times when we are so focused on ourselves, or the path that we believe to be right, that we miss the obvious warning signs of danger. In Balaam’s case it took a donkey speaking before he took notice of the angel in the road. We all make decisions based on what we think is best for us, for our families, for the church. How often are we challenging our own convictions against the Word? If we don’t have a constant connection to the Lord, we will go off course. That is inevitable, but we don’t have to stay there. Don’t be afraid to course correct. Don’t be afraid to go against the flow. Don’t be afraid to listen to the voice of the Lord in unexpected places.

Monday Re:Vlog – 10/20/25

Re:Verse passage – 2 Peter 2:10-16 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty, and Associate Pastor Bryan Richardson walk us through 2 Peter 2:10-16 in our Fall Re:Verse Series: “2 Peter – Standing Firm in the Faith.”