As the apostle Peter uses
“the unjust” as an example before his readers of those who
will be judged for their actions, he described them as those who
“walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise
government.” He also said they
are, “presumptuous, self-willed, and not afraid to speak
evil of dignities.” In chapter
two and verse eleven, he compared their behavior to angels where we
read:
Whereas
angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing
accusation against them before the Lord.
The
verse begins, “Whereas angels, which are greater in power
and might,” Peter
employed “angels”
as his example to demonstrate how foolish these “unjust”
prophets are. He notes that these angels are “greater
in power and might”
which is “ability,
force, and strength” and “inherent power, power residing in a
thing by virtue of its nature, or by which a person or thing exerts
and puts forth”. These angels have the ability to perform miracles,
have moral power, and have “excellence of soul”. In other words,
in comparison to these “unjust” false prophets, they excel far
above them.
The verse goes on to say,
“bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.”
Though the angels have greater power and might, they do not bring
“railing accusation” which are the Greek words
“blasphemos” and “krisis” and mean “blaspheming, speaking
evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive” with a “sentence
of condemnation, damnatory judgment, condemnation and punishment”
against those who are in authority positions. Let us notice too that
they do not bring these accusations “before the Lord” of
whom they have access on a regular basis. In other words, these
angels who are greater in power and might and are much closer to the
Lord than these unjust prophets do not participate in the speaking
evil of dignities.
As we consider this example
from Peter, we might be inclined to compare ourselves to these
angels. Just how far do we pale in comparison to them, and yet, do we
presumptively “bring railing accusation” against those who
are in authority above us? Though the apostle Peter is speaking
primarily against these unjust false prophets and their presumptuous,
self-willed behavior, we can use this as a litmus test for our own.
May the Lord Jesus continue to use verses and thoughts like these to
bring us into alignment with His ways and make us aware of those who
are “the unjust” in our lives.
Next
time we learn of the fate of these false prophets, so read ahead, and
we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” and the new marriage book “So, You Want
to Be Married” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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