2 Pet. iii. 17, 18. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led azvay ivith the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
HOWEVER averse men are to receive warnings and exhortations from each other, there is, in reality, no greater proof of affection, than the administering of faithful cautions, and salutary advice, to those whom we love. It is evident how much St. Peter's mind was warmed with affection towards his bre- thren, since he, no less than four times in this short chapter, addresses them by that endearing term, " Beloved." And how did he testify his love, but by guarding them against the dangers to which they were exposed, and by prescribing to them the most effectual means of deliverance and safety ?
Let his word then be thankfully received by us,
while we consider,
I. His caution against apostasy —
[The wicked will take occasion from God's forbearance to
question his remunerative justice3 and even the godly
need to be on their guard against the influence of this delusion b Certain it is, that they are liable to fall from their
a ver. 3, 4. with Eccl. viii. 11. b Eph. iv. 14. 2 Pet. ii. 18.
own steadfastness; and that, without the greatest vigilance,
they will do soc But they "know" the certainty and
awfulness of the day of judgment, and should therefore be afraid of meeting it unprepared. It will then be too late to rectify their " errors," or repent of their instability'1; and this consideration should make them doubly cautious against every occasion of fallinge.]
II. His direction for preventing it —
The Christian should seek to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" —
[None, who have received grace, will be satisfied with the measure they have received; but they will be seeking to attain more and moref. Nor will any, who know Christ, think they " know any thing yet as they ought to know:" they will per- ceive that there are in him " treasures of knowledge," which they have never explored g, and which to all eternity will be progressively opening to their view.
Hence the Christian's duty is to be continually advancing in every part of the divine life; and to " make his profiting appear unto all men."]
This will be his best, his only, preservative against apostasy —
[Painting or statuary admit of intermissions in labour : such work, left for a season, may be resumed without any increased difficulty: but, in religion, every intermission is a positive injury : if the work proceed not, it declines : it always either waxes or wanes. Now every declension weakens the vital principle within us — restores to activity our dormant corruptions — exposes us to the assaults of our great adver- sary— and provokes God to withdraw his accustomed aid'1: consequently, our downfall begun, will, if not prevented by sovereign grace, be speedy, gradual, irretrievable. On the other hand, a progress in grace confirms every good habit — fastens round us the whole armour of God — keeps our enemy at a distance — and secures to us the continued protection of
c 1 Tim. i. 19. 2 Tim. ii. 18. Matt. xxiv. 12. 1 Cor. ix. 27. Whether God will restore his elect, is a distinct question, that, if in- troduced in this place, might uphold a system, but would weaken the force of the Apostle's caution.
d Matt. xxv. 11 — 13.
e This argument is thrice urged ; ver. 1 1, 14, 17.
f Phil. iii. 12—14.
s Col. ii. .3. St. Paul, after preaching Christ for above twenty years, yet sought above all things to "know him." Phil. iii. 8, 10.
n Mark these particulars very distinctly, pausing at the cud of each. And do the same in that which follows.