The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Peter — Section 62

fanatics, that the difficulties with which Christ.ianity had to contend were very formid- 1tble, and that, added to those encountered from without, were others-more insidious and dangerous-arising from within. Of these, false teachers, corrupters of doctrine, and preachers of licentiousness in the name of the holy Saviour, are denounced as proofs of the power of sin, and as signs of a coming judgment. I. THE w AYS IN WHICH PROFESSING CHRISTIANS DENY THEra MASTER, 1. Some take an unscriptural and dishonouring view of his nature, and deny him by denying ,his claims to Divine dignity and authority. From the early Gnostics onwards there were those who assailed Christ's account of himself, and his inspired apostles' account of him. It is well known that many of the early heresies related to the Person of Christ, and that early Councils were occupied with defining dogmatically the Divine and human natures. By way of opposition and correction, it may be said that to errors of the kind referred to we are indebted for our precious heritage, the Nicene Creed, in which orthodox doctrine was finally and sufficiently fixed. Still, the general determi- nation of truth is no bar to the continuance of sin and error ; and there has been, perhaps, no age in which there have not arisen either individuals or communities who have denied their Master. 2. Some repudiate Christ's rightful authority. There are many who have not the theological interest which would lead them to discuss Christ's nature, who nevertheless resent the claim advanced on his behalf to be the Legislator and Judge of human society. '.!.'he Church, on the one hand, the individual reason on the other, may be put into competition with the Lord Christ. 3. Some deny Christ by practically disobeying his precepts. To such as these Jesus referred when he asked, " Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Profession of allegiance only : renders real rebellion the more hateful to our Lord. IL THE tn.-REASONABLEXESS AND GUILT OF THOSE WHO THUS DENY THEIR MASTER. 1. In view of the claim established by redemption, such are guilty of base ingratitude, •The introduction of the clause, "the Master that bought them," gives point to the condemnation. They who deny Christ deny One who lived, suffered, and died for them, and whom accordingly they ought to regard and treat with a. tender and reverential gratitude. They are like enfranchised slaves turning round upon their liberator, speaking of him with scorn and derision, treating him with neglect and indifference, if not with hatred and hostility. 2. In view of their own profession of subjection and indebtedness to him, there is gross inconsistency. 3. In view of the doom declared against deniers of Christ, their conduct is the uttermost degree of infatuation. '!'hey bring upon themselves swift destruction. The time shall come when they who deny him shall be denied by him.-J. R. T. Ver. 5.-" A preacher of righteousness." In the Book of Genesis we read that Noah was a righteous and blameless man, who found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and walked with God. Josephus, who preserves, it would seem, an old Hebrew tradition, witnesses not 0nly to Noah's just and pious character, but to his ministry to the sinful generation among whom his lot was cast. After describing the sinfulne~s of the people, Josephus proceeds, "But Noah was very uneasy at what they did; and, being- displeased at their conduct, persuaded them to change their dispositions and acts for the better; but, seeing that they did not yield to him, but were slaves to their wicked pleasures, he was afraid they would kill him." 'l'he office and ministry ascribed to Noah are required in every generation, and God ever raises up faithful men whom he empowers to discharge amongst their contemporaries the duties devolving upon the preachers of righteousness. I. THE NECESSITY FOB PREACHERS OF RIGHTEOUSNEBI!. 1. This appears from e. con- .sideration of me.n's nature. Human beings arc constituted with moral capabilities and ·with faculties to be employed in a moral life. Intelligence, conscience, and will are the prerogative of men among the inhabitants of this earth. And even the most degraded, those most nearly allied in habits to the brutes, are susceptible of elevation in the scal_o of moral life. He who examines, fairly and completely, the nature of man must admit that he is made for righteousness. 2. And the requirement of God correspondR with tho nature of man. God calls men to righteousness, holds them responsible to himself, ns the righteous Governor and Judge, for obedience or disobedience to his commands. 3. Yut it is not to be questioned that the ideal of human charactc,r and conduct has not en. 1!. 1-22.] THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. 137