The Lord knows how to deliver the godly

.... out of trials and temptations,  and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment (2 Peter 2:9). In context Peter is speaking of two things, firstly how He delivered righteous Noah and Lot “who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked.” Secondly he is speaking of God's judgements at the flood, and at His turning Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, and how this is an example of what is coming on the ungodly (verses 5, 6). Nowhere does  Scripture suggest that the ungodly cannot repent and receive mercy.  Referring to the same behaviour Paul says to the Corinthians “and that is what some of you were. But you were washed,  sanctified and   justified” (1 Corinthians 6:11).  This passage however, gives a strong refutation to those who twist Scripture claiming that in the end everybody is saved (2 Peter 3:16)!  Though the Lord would rather no one  should perish but all come to repentance, not all do, for “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever” (2 Peter 3:9; Genesis 6:3). There comes a point where like Pharaoh, after much resistance to Him God declares is fair game to use a man for His purposes (see Exodus 7:13, 22, 23; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:12; 4:21).

Peter warns “there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies ... bringing on themselves swift destruction. Many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed” (2:1, 2). Indeed there are false teachers today who seek to twist scripture seeking to justify the very same behaviour exhibited in Sodom. And how can it not cause confusion among the unsaved,  when part of the church turns a clear “no” of Scripture into a “yes.” I have an article in my files entitled “betrayed by the affirming church.” At the very point of temptation,  instead of encouraging him to resist temptation,  that part of the church in fact encouraged him to give into it, 'it's who you are!'  “They promise liberty, but they themselves are slaves of corruption” (verse 19). This passage makes God's response to all this very clear,  such people are  reserved  “under punishment for the day of judgment.”

All this is very seductive  for the godly, for “they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error” (verse 18). But “the Lord  knows how to deliver the godly out of trials and temptations.”  Note that it is out of, not actually from! And some of us have in fact fallen! Indeed the “steps of a good man,” those who with His help are seeking to escape the corruption that is in the world, such a  man “though he fall,  will not be utterly cast down, for the LORD upholds him with his hand” (Psalm 37:23, 24). And many times the fall is the very thing that motivates us to determine, with His help,  to resist as we fully surrender to His mercy and forgiveness (2 Corinthians 7:11).

Father, it's not easy to live the Christian life in this wicked and hurting world. Thank You for Your promised that no trial or temptation will overwhelm us, but that You  will, in the midst of it,  provide the way to escape and stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Help us to do our part Lord and to search for and find that way, and we'll give You the honour and  the praise in Jesus Name amen