Beloved: welcome to the second week of the month of September 2020. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ overflow on your behalf, causing you to prosper in all good things, all through the week. Amen.
As we begin this new week, I want to admonish you with Apostle Peter’s words that say, “Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.” (2Peter 3:17-18NIV) What is Peter’s main instruction to us here? It is that we should be on our guard against the errors of lawless men.
Now who are lawless people? These are individuals who do not care at all about righteousness, godliness, justice, peace or anything that glorifies God. They are individuals who make evil look good and good look evil. I am talking about people who live their lives to communicate the idea those who are truthful, upright, godly and selfless are foolish and will never enjoy life or amount to anything in it and that it is those who are crafty, selfish, immoral and insincere that will make the most of life.
But is it true that righteousness does not pay much and that it is wickedness that offers great rewards in this world? No, it is not true. Yes, it may look like wicked, immoral and unrighteous people are the ones getting the good things of life and occupying the most important places. And it may look like such people are always getting away with their wickedness, selfishness and abundance of immorality. But it only looks so; it is not so in reality. So, don’t be fooled or deceived by the façade their lives are communicating.
Read Psalm 73, and you will see what its writer has to say about being envious of the wicked. As he pointed out, at some point in his life, he began to compare his life with those of the wicked people around him who, in their wickedness and arrogance, were increasing in wealth, power and fame. So, discouragement set into his life, and he began to feel that his devotion to God and His righteousness was all in vain. (Cf. Ps 73:2-14)
But thanks to God, who led this Psalmist into His sanctuary and there showed him the truth about a life lived in wickedness. Then he saw for himself that no matter how prosperous and powerful a wicked person may be in their wickedness in this world, eternal miseries and pains will be their ultimate reward. He also saw that this earth has nothing that compares to what God intends to be and give to those who trust and love Him. So, he says, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Ps 73:25-26NIV)
Now you too need to see God as the strength of your heart and as your profit in this world. Otherwise, before you know it, you will have been carried away by the error of the lawless people around you, who will continually entice you and give you the impression that you are missing something by not following them in their foolish path. And remember that Peter tells us that if we do not guard ourselves against the errors of these people, we will fall from our secure position in Christ. So, it is actually possible for people to fall from the place of God’s grace and favour and ruin their lives, if they would not guard their hearts against the ungodliness in the world. And my prayer is that you will not fall away or lose your place in God’s scheme of things. But you too must take care and see to it that your heart is not enticed to follow ungodly men in their path of destruction.
Do have a great week.
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By: J.O. Lawal | Date: September 06, 2020 | Series: From Pastor’s Desk | Number: Vol. 9, No. 18