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FAQ # 58
QUESTION 58 : Doesn’t 2 Pet 3:11-18 tells us that you can “fall from
your own steadfastness” and therefore loose your salvation?
Let
us read the verses you mentioned;
“Seeing
then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons
ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and
hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on
fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a
new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing
that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him
in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering
of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according
to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his
epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard
to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as
they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore,
beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being
led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Pet 3:11-18).
Fall
from your steadfastness doesn’t necessarily imply nor state you loosing
your salvation. What Peter was warning this congregation about was a specific
false teaching, not just another warning or another false teaching. Some
fellows had taught that Jesus wasn’t coming back and that the earth would
go on as usual, “And saying, where is the promise of his coming? For since
the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning
of the creation” ( 2 Pet 3:4).
If
a believer falls prey to this teaching their entire life and hope will
be rocked; because if Christ didn’t come back, why should there be any
Christianity or why should we believe? This is how serious this teaching
is. Because people can give up faith and attempt to go on with life as
usual, hopelessly – no more Christ, no more expected end.
Faith
is the bases for a born again believer staying save in the kingdom of
God. The chapter on Justification taught nothing else but faith in justification;
or who God says you are. Remember we are saved by faith and “he that believeth
not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).
The
teaching on justification is not that any non-believing Church person
is saved, that’s paganism. Rather, the teaching on justification is that
a born-again believer continues to believe they are saved based on Christ’s
finish work, regardless of failures, inadequacies, feelings, untruths,
“sins,” etc. Justification makes it clear to a born-again believer that
he can never be condemned for anything no matter what; so he or she is
always accepted and saved as long as he or she believes it, and Christ
gave us his spirit to ensure that faith (Rom 12:3). That’s why Peter could
have said that we “are kept by the power of God through faith
unto salvation” (1 Pet 1:5).
No
wonder doubt is one of the devil’s key tools, by it he causes one to kill
one’s self because he cannot. Remember, “the
fearful, and unbelieving…shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire
and brimstone” (Rev 21:8). Moreover, Paul warned us, "Take
heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief,
in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12).
God
recognizes this and through his spirit has kept us from perpetually falling
prey to doubt (Rom 12:3, Jude 1:24, 2 Pet. 2:9) and thus keep us in faith
unto the end; that’s one of the reasons for his spirit (Eze 36:27, Php 2:13).
Just
to add to Peter’s exhortation. They are still present teaching with similar
elements. But no matter how long it takes, Christ is coming back. Peter
said, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). God is not
slack concerning his promise to return, but a reason it is taking so long
is because he is “not willing that any should perish.” He’s not willing
that so many people perish, so bear with him.
As
with man so it is with the earth. God will cause the earth to be born
again, which is another similitude of salvation. But before the born again
earth comes, the born again people are created first. To be born again
you have to be born of water and of spirit, or baptize in water and in
the Holy Ghost and fire. When the ‘earth’ sinned, God decided to make
it born again. He sent a flood in Noah’s day and baptized the earth in
water and then he’s going to send fire to baptize the earth in his spirit.
After that the earth will be reborn and cleansed for us, the righteous,
to roam in it. Here Peter tells us this, “Whereby the world that then
was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth,
which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved
unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men”
(2 Pet 3:6-7). We were born in water from our mother’s womb, the earth
was brought forth out of water in creation (Gen 1:6). We have to be born
of the water by being totally submerged in water (John 3:5), the earth
was totally submerge during Noah’s flood (Gen 7:19). We have to be
born of the spirit and fire (John 3:5), the earth will also scourge with
the fire of God’s fury (Zep 3:8). Then it shall be ready for a pure, non-rebellious
angel atmosphere.
You
might say, that’s so far fetch. God take so long to make the earth be
born again – thousands of years up till now. That’s because you are looking
at it from your eyes. That’s why Peter told us, “beloved, be not ignorant
of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years,
and a thousand years as one day” (2 Pet 3:8). If someone gets baptized
today and 5 days later they receive the Holy Ghost we consider that quick
– just a few days, though it can happen instantaneously. But what Peter
wanted us to know is that thousands of years to God are quick.
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