Chapter 7: Choices From The Heart

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clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. For when they speak great

swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.

[19] While they promise them liberty, they themselves are

slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and savior Jesus Christ, they are again

entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment

delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.’ ” 2 Peter 2:14-22

So your pastor [teacher] says you have “total freedom?” From whom or what do you have such freedom? Those who are free in Christ Jesus are “free indeed.” Free to love God with 100% of their hearts and to do all that

He requires of them. Those free through Christ have their eyes on eternal life and not on licentiousness [sexual desires unchecked by morality] or on lewdness [an excessive preoccupation with sex that leads to lustful, obscene and indecent behavior] or on lasciviousness [sexually enticing behavior].

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

John makes it clear that “real believers” are free from sin. Phrased in another way, John means: “We are free from the control of our flesh and the sinful behavior that results from a lack of morality because the Spirit of God resides inside of us and we are no longer a captive of this world.” One can’t

help but notice the descriptive words “A dog returns to his own vomit, and, a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” I am a witness for God