DANGER IN TURNING FROM THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

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Today’s Reading:

2 Peter2:4-21

“For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the Holy commandment delivered unto them” (v. 21)

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“The way of righteousness” is the path or road to God, who is the righteousness of the believer. No man can be righteous before God, but He imputed his righteousness to believers through Jesus Christ his Son. It is gotten through faith in Jesus Christ.

Righteousness refers to uprightness, right relationship, a state of, or quality of being correct, and justifiable. Since no man can be righteous in God’s eyes, He has made a provision for man to obtain His and this same righteousness, through Jesus Christ his Son. This results from the gift of salvation, as one accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, after confession of sins, receiving forgiveness and surrendering to His Lordship. The ultimate goal is reconciliation with God, after the Adamic fall inherited sin at birth by all mankind, is done away with (Ps. 51.5)

Thereafter, one is qualified and free to walk the way of righteousness, by God’s side, striving to be committed, loyal and faithful to him, with the help of the Holy Spirit, who is also given to the person at this point. However, to do otherwise will amount to turning away from the way of righteousness.

First, let us consider the benefits, outcome to a believer of walking in the way of righteousness.

• In verse 20 of Today’s Reading, the person is said to have escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

• In verse 9, it says the person is delivered out of temptation by God.

• In Hebrew 6:4, it is said that the person has been enlightened, has tasted of the heavenly gift, and made partaker of the Holy Spirit.

• In Hebrew 6: 5, it is said that the person has tasted the good word of God and the power of the world to come (i.e., Eternity with God).

What are the results of turning from the way of righteousness?

In Today’s Reading, we read that such a person is:

• estranged in the world system and its pollution

• overcome by sin

• corrupted

• in bondage

• deceived of false liberty

• gone astray

• and said to be like a dog that has turned to its own vomit again or the sow that was washed, turned to wallow in the mire.

This turning away from righteousness can also be called “falling away” (Heb. 6:6). The ultimate danger that can be experienced from turning from the way of righteousness is that the person’s latter end will be worse than the beginning (v 20) and can be reserved for judgement or punishment, or even cast down to hell. Sadly, in Heb. 6:4, it is written that it is impossible for such a person to be renewed again to repentance, seeing that he crucifies to himself the Son of God afresh, and putting him to an open shame. This amounts to taking the righteousness and grace of God and his Son, Jesus Christ in vain. May their sacrifices not be wasted on us as believers in Jesus name. We should constantly and consciously ask God for grace to continue to walk and not turn from the way of righteousness.

CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI

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Prayer:

1. Father, we thank you for making a way for us to be reconciled with you, through the sacrifice of Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Precious Lord, thank you for taking our punishment and bringing us back to the Father, in Jesus name.

3. O Lord, thank you for the gift of salvation to us individually and collectively as believers, in Jesus name.

4. Father, thank you for giving us your righteousness through your Son, Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

5. My Father do not let your righteousness be in vain in my life, in Jesus name.

6. Our Father, help us individually and as the Church to be focused and continue to walk the way of righteousness, in Jesus name.

7. Our heavenly Father, let your righteousness pervade our nation, in Jesus name.