Spared?

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Category:Deluge (mythology); Category:Noah

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (2 Peter 2:1-4 KJV)

A number of examples where God did not spare follow these four verses, beginning with the flood that wiped out all but Noah and his family. We move then to Sodom and Gomorrah, with the sparing of Lot. God knows how to spare and preserve:

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2 Peter 2:9 KJV)

It’s up to us to strive to be the godly, not the bad examples given:

But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; (2 Peter 2:12-15 KJV)

However, if we turn away from God, from what we know:

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (2 Peter 2:20-21 KJV)

Doesn’t sound very good, does it? Consider v 2:10 – “despise government”. Don’t confine that word to elected officials, think instead of self control, of respect of others.  A Pulpit Commentary said, “Living an evil life, they will not endure restraint of any kind. Self-willed and daring, they despise every form of authority, and speak evil of those who are better, or nobler, or loftier than themselves.” Seen any of that attitude?

Perhaps it is because professed Christians have not respected God’s commandments? Have proven hypocritical examples to non-believers who depended on them to see His word in action. I know I have, and pray I don’t repeat that error.