WE TURN BACK OR ARE BEING TRANSFORMED
WE TURN BACK OR ARE BEING TRANSFORMED
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
It is so sad that there are those who have come to know the way of righteousness, but then turned back from it. They came to know the gospel of Jesus but then they did not accept it and turned back from following it. When they get entangled again in “the defilements of the world” they become worse off than before they came to “know the way of righteousness.”
People will follow either who they are, or they will follow Jesus and who He is. They who appear to be following Him and then turn back and no longer follow are like—
- The dog returns to its own vomit
- The sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.
Dogs are disgusting as they vomit and then return to it and eat it. That is so gross as I think briefly about it and write. But this is the nature of a dog and that is what it naturally does, as repulsive as it is to us. And that is how vile it is when someone knows the way of righteousness and then turns back to their own ways. This is what naturally happens with those who have not had their nature transformed.
Pigs are pigs. You can clean them up, but they naturally desire to roll around in the mud. They will not stay clean for long. As soon as they can wallow in mire, they will. So it is with someone who does not have the new nature given them when they truly follow Jesus. They soon return to wallowing in the mire of their true nature and are entangled again in the world system of sinfulness.
- You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. —Galatians 5:13
- Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. —I Peter 2:16
Followers of Jesus have been set free— “To the Jews who had believed him, 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). There will be a transformation in those who follow Jesus and will not “conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of (their) mind. Then (they) will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). So, who are we living for? God or self?
Thank You, Dear Father, for setting me free in Jesus. Now may I live faithfully for You in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. So may it be and all for Your honor and glory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlSmG-_eJTU