Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:17-18 NIV
Thanks be to the Lord who has not make His words to be scarce in our own days. Instead, the wisdom of the Lord is abundantly available, guiding us towards a victorious Christian life. God has generously poured out His teachings, preparing us to navigate life’s challenges wisely. Just as birds are vigilant, knowing when to evade a trap, as the scripture says in Proverbs 1:17 “You cannot trap birds with a net if they see you spreading it out”. Therefore, we, made in God’s image, must remain watchful. The Bible warns us in 2 Peter 3:17-18: “…be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
It is important to note that we’re all susceptible to sin, lest anyone thinks too highly of themselves. However, with Christ’s help, we can overcome. It’s crucial to be watchful to avoid falling into the snares set by the enemy. Our position in Christ is secure, and as long as we stay connected to Him, no scheme or power can topple us. False teachers might try to deceive us, but we must remain on guard against these wolves in sheep’s clothing.
We should never underestimate the risk of falling into the devil’s traps. So, we must realise that the “secure position” is our right standing in Christ Jesus. But we must remember that we are not immune to sin. We all need the grace of Christ to overcome. As long as we remain in Him, no scheme or power can snatch us away. Hence, the Lord Jesus says with all earnestness and repeatedly in John 15: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you”. By remaining vigilant in Christ, we protect ourselves from the enemy’s schemes.
Furthermore, 2 Peter 2:20 (ERV) reminds us that people can be freed from the evil in the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, if they return to their old ways and become controlled by evil, their situation becomes worse than before. We must continue to grow in grace and knowledge to maintain our secure position in Christ.
In conclusion, to secure our faith, we must stay anchored in Christ and continually grow in grace. We should seek a deeper, more intimate knowledge of Jesus, allowing this understanding to transform our words and actions. By growing in His grace, we build a strong defence against the snares of the enemy. As 2 Peter 3:18 (EASY) emphasizes, we will receive His kindness and experience His help to an even greater degree. This journey is a lifelong pursuit, but the reward of an unshakeable faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is immeasurable.
Remember, just as birds avoid the trap they see, let us remain watchful and seek the Lord’s guidance. Our secure position in Christ remains unwavering as we grow in His grace.
