We have been
reminding you each week of the two key words to this book. They are
the words Apostasy and Remembrance. I have been
reminded in the last days there will come a great falling away. We
need not but look around to see that it has already begun. Flesh is
and will be at the roots of this great falling away. We began a
study last week of a section of Chapter2, verses10-22, which I
entitled The Perversions Of The Flesh. Let us break off
another smaller part of this text to meditate on this week. In
verses 13-17 we find these words,
And shall receive the reward of
unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day
time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their
own deceivings while they feast with you. Having eyes full of
adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls:
an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed
children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray,
following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of
unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass
speaking with mans voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These
are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to
whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
In verse 13a and c
we find The Conclusion Of The Flesh. Oh to live a life
solely in the flesh will have an unwanted conclusion. The
conclusion will involve a reward. Peter says, they
shall
receive the reward
The phrase means to be destined or
ordained for reception. Those that walk in the spirit shall receive
the crown of righteousness. Those that live in the flesh shall
receive the reward of unrighteousness. The reason for this
conclusion Peter tells us in 13c is they deceive their own selves.
My, how the flesh can make you think everything is all right between
you and the Lord.
In verse 13b and
verse 14 Peter tells us of The Ceasing Of The Flesh. My
thought here is flesh will be flesh as long as we live in this
world. It will never take you God ward. Let us not put confidence
in the flesh even for a mega second. Peter tells us it is full of
unending pleasure. The phrase in 13
they that count it pleasure
to riot
means a wasteful exercise and enjoyable gratification
of the natural man. The flesh only wants to satisfy our five
senses. Peter tells us the flesh is Full Of Unending Perception.
In verse 14 we are told the flesh has eyes full of adultery. The
word means a sexual relationship with anothers mate. The flesh
cannot cease from sin. (Vs. 14) The phrase means to be incessant
and cannot be restrained. The flesh even likes to beguile
others. The word means to put out bait like a fisherman. The flesh
is in an exercise program of covetous practice. This is an unholy
desire for things. Peter tells us that children of the flesh have
the pronounced curse from God of being doomed and damned.
In verses 15-17 we
find The Consideration Of The Flesh. Peter asks us to consider
its ways. We are pointed to the way of Balaam. The only way
God could arrest this man from the foolish way of his flesh was to
let a donkey talk to him. Even then he had to speak twice before he
got it and even then an angel had to explain what the donkey said.
We are also asked to
Consider The Wells Of The Flesh. Peter tells us flesh is
like wells without water and clouds without rain. What good would
there be in a well or cloud that has no water?
Flesh has a
reservation in the darkness of doom. I cannot imagine that one day
we will enter a land where there will be no more FLESH. What
a day that will be!
