ONE’S TRUE NATURE WILL BE REVEALED
ONE’S TRUE NATURE WILL BE REVEALED
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” —II Peter 2:20-22
A dog is a dog and will forever be a dog and do what dogs do. That is a fact. And there are those who received the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but they never truly trusted Him. They are like the dog returning to its own vomit because that is what dogs do. It is disgusting. But also, a pig is a pig forever and a pig will do what a pig does. You can wash a pig but it will return to the muck and mire to wallow in it because that is what pigs do. That is in their nature.
So, a person who has the knowledge of what Jesus has done, but instead of acting on it they once again return to and become again entangled in the defilements of this world. Goats are goats and goats do what goats do (Matthew 25:31-46). “For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.” If they had never known it before then maybe when they did hear about it they would call on Jesus to be saved. But they did hear it and they turned away from it.
I was having a cup of coffee at a DD. I like to go there to do some reading and also see who I may be able to talk with. There was a fellow that I have seen there a few times working on his computer in the corner. This time he was sitting near where I usually sit so I engage him in conversation. Come to find out he “used to be a pastor just like you,” he said. I asked him how we could once believe and now claim to be an atheist? He never answered that question as he talked about what he was doing now. I shared how Jesus impacted my life and he did allow me to pray for him right there. But… he did not used to be like me…
A dog, a pig or a goat can claim to be a follower of Jesus, but their true nature will come out. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). If a person does not hold to the teachings of Jesus, if they do not hold to what He says then they are not really His disciples. Dogs, pigs and goats can be cleaned up, but they will return to their nature. Followers of Jesus “have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Colossians 3:10). “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). Those who have truly been made new cannot be made old again. We who “are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” cannot be no longer “God’s handiwork” or become uncreated in Christ Jesus!
Brother and sister, fellow follower of Jesus, let us live faithfully for our Lord and may this, Dear Father be by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Dear Son and my Lord Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLX83HbefrI