2 Peter: Faith In A Skeptical World Exemplo

Occasionally the company in which I worked would present its products at trade exhibitions. My boss made it clear that we were there to impress and to sell our products to those walking by. He used to say to his staff, ‘If you can’t dazzle them with your brilliance, then baffle them with your baloney.’ His meaning was something like, ‘Use whatever you’ve got to get the sale!’ 

Looking at the outwardly impressive false teachers (who acted like the Sophists of the first century AD), things were not as they seemed. Not only were the false teachers unable to deliver for others what they promised, but they themselves did not attain that which they offered: ‘They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity’ (v. 19). It is an observation that matches the so-called ‘progressive’ values of our society, which believes ‘freedom’ is found by avoiding such things as commitment. Only too late, when alone and without loved ones (for love requires commitment), do they realise they are the victims of pursuing a false freedom. The false teachers offer fool’s gold. 

In chapter 1, the traits Peter calls us to pursue will not only lead us well towards our ‘rich welcome into the eternal kingdom’ (1:11), but they will also keep us from being ‘ineffective and unproductive’ (1:8) in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus. Again, the false teachers exemplify the exact opposite of fruitfulness: they ‘are springs without water and mists driven by a storm’ (2:17). 

They talk the talk, with words described as ‘empty, boastful’ and ‘appealing’ to carnal lusts (v. 18). Here we also see that they tempt their victims with pleasurable things even the victims know to be wrong. But Peter points out that we are all servants of something or someone; whether we have a good master or a bad master is the question (v. 19). The Apostle Paul similarly asks, ‘Don’t you know that ... you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?’ (Rom. 6:16). 

Frank Sinatra made famous the song ‘I did it my way’, sometimes sung at funerals. But if we reject Christ’s ways in order to follow ‘my way’, we are actually following the god of self, money, happiness or some other disappointing master, and ultimately Satan himself (see, for example, John 8:44, 47; Eph. 2:1–3). 

Christ’s ways of humility, godliness, submission and the like may not seem impressive, yet by following Him we show our confidence in and loyalty to Him. False teachers make big promises, and big claims, but are completely incapable of delivering on them. Peter urges that we choose our master wisely. 

Reflection

Describe the ways in which false masters (such as money or human praise) seek to allure you. How could you be less divided in your allegiance to Christ?