Red Delicious Apple Christianity Iii: One Rotten Apple Spoils The Barrel Series

ONE ROTTEN APPLE SPOILS THE WHOLE BARREL

Based on 2 Peter 2

An old saying but ever so true! It is true that one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel – eventually. This is so because of the spread of the rotten apple’s mold spores that invade the other apples – slowly but surely – unless preventive measures are taken by the keeper of the apples.

The apostle Peter addresses the matter of rottenness as it applies to the Christian life in the second chapter of his second epistle.

First, a quick review: Peter wrote both of his letters to Christians in general due to his inevitable departure; but also he wrote because of his determination that those who carried on the ministry after his death might hold fast to the truth of the gospel. He challenged Christians to stand firm.

He strongly believed that the only way for Christians to stand firm would be for them to attain a high level of spiritual maturity that would give them courage to hold fast to the teachings of Jesus that had been passed on to them by eyewitnesses.

Peter preached that Jesus was who He said He was and that he (Peter) was one of many eyewitness of all that Jesus did - the greatest event being Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. They saw Him alive after His crucifixion.

Peter went on to urge believers to stay true to the Word of God; it was their only authoritative source of divine wisdom and guidance. Peter’s insistence had to do with the fact that even before Christianity got off to a good start there were those who were trying to sabotage the movement.

He was concerned about the threat of a “rotten apple” spoiling the early Christian movement; so he issued a stern warning to them to stay alert so that they could identify false teachers and stay true to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 2:1-3 . . .

We do not know exactly who the false teachers were insofar as any organized group was concerned; but we do know that there were those who denied certain basic teachings of Christ – for example, His second coming and the judgment.

Now, think about the seriousness of rejecting those two doctrinal truths. If we fall for the false teaching that Christ is not coming again, as He promised, how can we possibly believe anything He taught? If we fall for the false teaching that there will be no judgment, how could we therefore be held accountable for wrong doing?

If we were to subscribe to the false belief that there is no judgment to come, there would be no constraint at all on human behavior; folks could call themselves Christians but choose to live immoral and unethical lives with no thought of accountability; if that were so (if there was no judgment to come), why should we even bother to live a committed Christian life?

Do you suppose there are false teachers among us today?

Are there folks today who deny that Jesus died for their sins?

With regard to folks who deny Christ, what does Peter say they bring upon themselves?

Do you ever feel that some folks go out of their way to find a preacher or a teacher who tells them it’s okay to adopt the ways of the world?

Have you ever known of a preacher who sought to exploit their parishioners (“make merchandise” of them)?

“Well, Peter, now that you’ve made us aware of the existence of false teachers, what do you suggest we do about it?” Some of us have found ourselves “between a rock and a hard place” because there are times when we do become aware that we are being “used” for someone’s personal gain.

2 Peter 2:12-14 . . .

Peter says that these folks act like animals that were born to be caught and destroyed! Ever heard it said, “Be sure your sins will find you out”?

What did Paul say along this line? “Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

Peter seems to be saying that: if a man sows deception, he will become a victim of his own deception . . . if a man sows seeds of blasphemy, he will become the object of blasphemy . . . if a man sows the seed of seduction, he will suffer the consequences . . . if a man sows seeds of error among immature believers, the time will come when he will be denounced for the error of his ways.

Would any of you want to suggest ways Christians can avoid being taken in by unscrupulous preachers or teachers - those who take advantage of folks for their own personal gain and for the building of their own personal empire?