You shall know the truth . . .

May 5, 2009

2 Peter 3:14-18

“So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace. Interpret our Master’s patient restraint for what it is: salvation. Our good brother Paul, who was given much wisdom in these matters, refers to this in all his letters, and has written you essentially the same thing. Some things Paul writes are difficult to understand. Irresponsible people who don’t know what they are talking about twist them every which way. They do it to the rest of the Scriptures, too, destroying themselves as they do it. But you, friends, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers. Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes!”

As I age and as family members pass on from this life, I am finding that I am discovering stories (most of which I would rather not know) that leave me feeling so disappointed. These were stories of truths that were covered over out of someone’s embarrassment over their own sinfulness or truths that others didn’t share for fear that they would create more pain. As I hear them now and learn of the failings of others, I find the phrase echoing in my brain . . . “you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free . . .”

As Peter comes to close his letter to the church, he acknowledges the Apostle Paul. Paul had a good grasp on the truth but sometimes communicated in a way that was difficult to comprehend. To this day, we have trouble with Paul’s thinking and we deal with it in all manner of ways. Some of us interpret his work very literally because frankly it’s just easier to do so. But, if we are willing to do the work of historical, literary, textual, etc. criticism, then we discover aspects of the texts through different lenses and we begin to have a glimpse of what Paul was trying to communicate. As Peter prepares to close his letter, he makes it clear that the hearers of his letter have within their grasp the ability to discern the truth. It is only through their inner honesty with themselves that they can claim that truth.

If they will be objective and honest about what they know about God, then they will not live in the context of the delusion that false teachers like to paint. The false teachers, as we well know by now, had a proclivity for taking a part of the truth. Just as in our study of any Scripture, we have to look at the whole to understand the parts. The same is true for the living of our lives.

Many have been the times that people have lashed out at me because I am a minister and they believe that they can rightfully through their anger upon me as a representative of God. In those moments, I find it easier to ignore the truth and internalize their anger. But the truth is that the moment of their anger at me isn’t about me but is about their larger history—a history that usually I am not privy to know.

This passage is an exhortation to us at many levels. First, in our study, we will do well do avoid delusion if we take the time to understand the context of the message. Then, we shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free . . .. Second, in our relationships, there exists so much about each one of us that we do not share but to understand each other and to live with each other in peace, grace and forgiveness without delusion, it seems so important to be honest with each other. This passage call us to honesty . . . with ourselves, with others, with God. So where are we failing in honesty? The words continue to ring in my thoughts . . . “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free . . ..”