Real Change

The very thing I read today is something I am struggling with right now in my life. When I first started reading In 2 Peter, it caused me a lot of anxiety, at least until I explored it further. In 2 Peter 2:19b-22, Peter is admonishing those who had proclaimed Christ as their Savior, yet they were swayed back into their old ways. After reading this and looking at my own life, it made me fearful because how many times have I reverted back to my old life?

Peter talks about those who have turned away from the path of righteousness after knowing what that path is all about. He goes on to say how it would be better for them had they never known about The Way in the first place. This made me question: does this include when I slip up but return to God? Or are the people portrayed in this passage those who slipped and will never return back to God? Is it that they never really had a change of heart through the grace and mercy of God? Is it that I have never had a change in my heart?

I believe this passage is talking about those who never experienced a true change in their hearts through the work done on the Cross. God knows that believers will mess up. That is why He sent Jesus to die for us in our place. He knows we can't be perfect. In I John 1:9, it says that if we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and righteous to forgive us and to cleanse us. So, I believe that the passage in 2 Peter is talking about those who truly don't have a repentant heart, and never really did. Even after seeing the Truth, they were easily lead astray by the false teachings of those opposed to the it.

Peter describes these people as though they are dogs returning to their vomit or sows who after being washed, returns to wallowing in the mud. Peter is saying that those who return to being enslaved to their sins are like animals. Animals can't really change what they are. They have instincts that can never be totally removed from their beings. You can train an animal, but left on it's own, even after training, it will revert to it's instinctual behaviors. That is because the training doesn't really change an animal, just like hearing the Truth didn't really change the people that Peter is talking about in this passage.

Recently I have been going though some tough stuff. It has been hard facing some of my life choices and recognizing the impact they are having on my in my life. I have "noticed" them before, but have conveniently ignored them and denied they were there. I wasn't ready to acknowledge them and do something about it. In the last several days, God allowed me to be in a position to really SEE what is wrong and to understand what I need to do. It has been humiliating, painful and difficult to go through. I have had to humble myself before God, repent, beg for His mercy and grace, and ask for His strength as He conducts REAL CHANGE in my life. All I can say is that after reading today's passage, I am grateful that God has brought me to this place. It shows me that he hasn't given up on me, and I see how much I want real change in my life.

I know that this process will be life-long. That is humbling, but it gives me hope because it shows me that I am going in the right direction. I guess its like that bumper sticker: "Don't give up on me yet, God's not done with me!" Thank you God!