5 Minute Lessons on the Kingdom of God
The Way of Righteousness
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The Bible speaks of 2 lords, 2 kings, and 2 kingdoms (Luke 16:13; Acts 17:7; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:13).
One king loves righteousness (Hebrews 1:9), loves purity and truth (1 Timothy 4:12; John 14:6), loves the unlovable (Romans 5:8) and the poor (Psalm 34:6; Psalm 41:1; Proverbs 17:5), and loves justice (Hebrews 1:9 NLT). He takes no pleasure at all that the wicked should perish (Ezekiel 18:23, 32). This is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. This is God's Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:16; Acts 2:36).
One king, or more correctly a false "god," (a false god that is believed to have supernatural powers and requires worship, Matthew 4:9) loves darkness (Luke 22:53), loves murder (what does that make you think of? John 8:44), loves lies (John 8:44), loves sinning (1 John 3:8), and loves iniquity and lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:7). This false god is Satan, deceiver of the nations (Revelation 20:3) and the god of this fallen age (2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV).
The Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16) and His Kingdom (Matthew 13:19) separates the individuals that have chosen to be under the authority of darkness or light. Those choosing to follow Christ as Lord, Master and King are called "the children of the Kingdom" (Matthew 13:38). Those choosing the authority of the evil one are called "the children of the wicked one" (Matthew 13:38).
Jesus went to the cross to redeem us out of the slavery of Satan's domain and bring us into the Kingdom of God's dear Son (Colossians 1:13). He secured us the forgiveness of our sins (Colossians 1:14), and the complete purchase of our person (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Verse 20
Notice, these people or false teachers had escaped the pollutions of the world. They escaped this pollution through a knowing of Jesus as Lord and Savior. They are now entangled again by the pollutions of the world and overcome. They are worse off than before.
Verse 21
Verse 22
"Peter does not specify which commandment of the Lord that he is referring to, but he used the same word just a few verses before (2 Peter 2:21) when he said that the false teacher had known the way of righteousness, but had then turned 'away from the holy commandment handed on to them.' Thus I infer that Peter is talking about the ethical demands that stem from the gospel, which come to us through the Apostles in the New Testament." - Steven J. Cole
John Calvin points out that "even the godly, who have some degree of biblical learning, will become dim and mentally rusty if they do not receive these constant reminders and warnings. And so the church needs faithful teachers to impress the truth on the memory of their hearers, just as Peter is doing here." (Calvin's Commentaries pages 412-413)
Peter Davids puts it this way, "In Jesus the rule of God became manifest in this world, and this manifestation of the rule of God brings with it a demand that people turn from their way and submit to God's way, that is, obey the good news and submit to the way of life that it proclaims. While often missing from contemporary preaching, this is the message of the New Testament." (The Letters of 2 Peter & Jude, p. 261)
Why does James say:
Why does the author of Hebrews say:
Why did the Apostle Paul in his witness to Felix and Drusilla say?
When you witness to the lost, do you tell them to repent and turn to righteousness, their need of self-control, and a judgment that is to come?
Why did Daniel tell Nebuchadnezzar to:
Is it really true that:
Is it really true that people must:
Have you accepted Jesus' rule and reign in your life? If not, then,
One king loves righteousness (Hebrews 1:9), loves purity and truth (1 Timothy 4:12; John 14:6), loves the unlovable (Romans 5:8) and the poor (Psalm 34:6; Psalm 41:1; Proverbs 17:5), and loves justice (Hebrews 1:9 NLT). He takes no pleasure at all that the wicked should perish (Ezekiel 18:23, 32). This is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. This is God's Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:16; Acts 2:36).
One king, or more correctly a false "god," (a false god that is believed to have supernatural powers and requires worship, Matthew 4:9) loves darkness (Luke 22:53), loves murder (what does that make you think of? John 8:44), loves lies (John 8:44), loves sinning (1 John 3:8), and loves iniquity and lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:7). This false god is Satan, deceiver of the nations (Revelation 20:3) and the god of this fallen age (2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV).
The Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16) and His Kingdom (Matthew 13:19) separates the individuals that have chosen to be under the authority of darkness or light. Those choosing to follow Christ as Lord, Master and King are called "the children of the Kingdom" (Matthew 13:38). Those choosing the authority of the evil one are called "the children of the wicked one" (Matthew 13:38).
Jesus went to the cross to redeem us out of the slavery of Satan's domain and bring us into the Kingdom of God's dear Son (Colossians 1:13). He secured us the forgiveness of our sins (Colossians 1:14), and the complete purchase of our person (1 Corinthians 6:20).
"Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:20)
Warning: The False Teacher Has Come!
"20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." (2 Peter 2:20‑22 King James Version)
21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." (2 Peter 2:20‑22 King James Version)
Verse 20
Notice, these people or false teachers had escaped the pollutions of the world. They escaped this pollution through a knowing of Jesus as Lord and Savior. They are now entangled again by the pollutions of the world and overcome. They are worse off than before.
Verse 21
"It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life." (2 Peter 2:21 New Living Translation)
Verse 22
"There is an old saying that 'A dog comes back to what he has vomited, and a pig is washed only to come back and wallow in the mud again.' That is the way it is with those who turn again to their sin." (2 Peter 2:22 Living Bible)
"Peter does not specify which commandment of the Lord that he is referring to, but he used the same word just a few verses before (2 Peter 2:21) when he said that the false teacher had known the way of righteousness, but had then turned 'away from the holy commandment handed on to them.' Thus I infer that Peter is talking about the ethical demands that stem from the gospel, which come to us through the Apostles in the New Testament." - Steven J. Cole
John Calvin points out that "even the godly, who have some degree of biblical learning, will become dim and mentally rusty if they do not receive these constant reminders and warnings. And so the church needs faithful teachers to impress the truth on the memory of their hearers, just as Peter is doing here." (Calvin's Commentaries pages 412-413)
Peter Davids puts it this way, "In Jesus the rule of God became manifest in this world, and this manifestation of the rule of God brings with it a demand that people turn from their way and submit to God's way, that is, obey the good news and submit to the way of life that it proclaims. While often missing from contemporary preaching, this is the message of the New Testament." (The Letters of 2 Peter & Jude, p. 261)
Observations (Not Conclusions)
Why does the Lord say:
"But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live?" (Ezekiel 18:24 NIV)
Why does James say:
"19My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins." (James 5:19‑20 NLT)
Why does the author of Hebrews say:
"26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment..." (Hebrews 10:26‑27 NIV)
Why did the Apostle Paul in his witness to Felix and Drusilla say?
"24A few days later Felix came with Drusilla, his legal wife, a Jewess. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. 25And as he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified." (Acts 24:24‑25 LB).
When you witness to the lost, do you tell them to repent and turn to righteousness, their need of self-control, and a judgment that is to come?
Why did Daniel tell Nebuchadnezzar to:
"...break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor..." (Daniel 4:27 KJV)
Is it really true that:
"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." (1 John 3:10 NIV)
Is it really true that people must:
"...repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." (Acts 26:20 NIV)
Have you accepted Jesus' rule and reign in your life? If not, then,
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..." (Acts 3:19 KJV)
Questions
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Because of my many imperfections, I need to walk in the light, I need the blood of Jesus to cleanse me continually.True or FalseAnswer
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The Lord is my salvation.True or FalseAnswer
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Why does James say:"19My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins." (James 5:19-20 NLT)Answer
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Why does the author of Hebrews say:"26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment..." (Hebrews 10:26‑27 NIV)AnswerIs it really true that people must:"...repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." (Acts 26:20 NIV)AnswerIs it really true that:"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." (1 John 3:10 NIV)AnswerWe want to hear from you!We would love to hear your feedback on these lessons and how you use them in your own study or in discipling others. If you have any thoughts, stories, testimonies, comments, or questions we would love to hear them!Next Lesson:The False Prophet and Teacher