Against the World
Good Morning,
When Peter wrote of Noah and Lot, he referred to the world in which we live. (2 Peter 2:5-7) The picture is sad, and the results are tragic, yet God will allow men to travel the road of their own choosing. The destination though is out of their control.
In the following verses, Peter lists a few of the character traits of these people:
2 Peter 2:10 “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.”
vs. 13 “And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time…"
vs. 14 “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:”
Notice the actions and character traits by which they are known: they are unclean; they despise government; they are presumptuous; they are self-willed; they are covetous; they are unstable and take part in rioting, adultery, etc.
These characterizations perfectly describe American liberalism and outline our government’s system of teaching the children in schools and colleges. Ultimately, this description identifies the people who leave the paths of righteousness and follow sin.
Although, we should remember that there is a reward. The prior verses talk about Noah and Lot; both lived in a day when God poured out His wrath on countless people.
vs.13 "And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness..."
Mankind has always had sinful "believers" (as Lot who was described as "righteous and just" 2:7-8). The world has always had those who followed the path of shame and filth. The believer has a choice: to live like the world or to walk daily against the grain of the covetous, shameful world, and stand up for God and right.
If a believer chooses to walk in the world and love the things of this world, then that believer will end up losing all on earth (as Lot did) and face God with no rewards to give Him.
1 Corinthians 3:15 “If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
The end result is far better to be a "preacher of righteousness" (2:5) and be the misfit, outcast, and object of ridicule - as Noah was.
I heard a preacher say that the world moves against the sun; every day it is evident that the world moves one way, and the sun moves the opposite way. The entire world system moved against the Son, and if we are to follow the Son, we will be in constant conflict with the world.
Pastor