Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. –2 Peter 3:17 (NIV)

There have been over 21 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide, with over 760,000 deaths.  My news feed around the pandemic continues to recount the varied stories of those who have been directly affected by the coronavirus.  One such writer explained how vigilant she had been at the start of the pandemic.  For months, she followed all of the guidelines until one day, she let down her guard “for just a few minutes” and contracted the coronavirus.  She shared her story to warn others.  With thousands still contracting the virus every day, the resounding message throughout each story is this:  “Don’t let down your guard!”  

When you put that phrase into a search engine, countless sites will show articles and posts relating to COVID-19 and how best to protect yourself from the coronavirus. Tip sheets, checklists and a variety of other things to warn and guide us around the coronavirus are posted just about everywhere.  “Stay safe, because the virus is still out there,” they’ll warn. But then there are those who downplay the threat or even call the whole thing a hoax.  Some work to discredit any credible information that goes against what they feel is true or acceptable.  Regardless, the knowledge shared by scientists and doctors makes us all personally responsible to do our part to protect ourselves and others, and not be deceived.  As we grow weary of enduring this pandemic, we are at risk of letting down our guard.  I encourage you to stay on your guard!

The warning, “Don’t let down your guard”, is important for all of us during this pandemic.  But, this same warning for us as Christians is even more important than that!  Peter was one of the disciples who had endured trials and tribulations as a follower of Jesus, and he understood the struggle to endure—to not let down his guard.  He, afterall, was that very disciple who had denied Jesus three times, even though he had been forewarned about it.  “Be alert…resist the devil” he had forewarned in 1 Peter 5, because he had firsthand experience with letting down his guard. 

When he issued the warning in 2 Peter 3:17, there were religious leaders intent on enforcing the religious law.  They were more comfortable using the confines of the Law, even if they failed to adhere to it themselves.  The idea of a saving grace that fulfilled the Law didn’t fit well with them.  They were intent on disproving and discrediting the idea that a crucified Jesus would return as he said he would.  Afterall, if he was going to return, why hadn’t he already done so?  While the religious leaders simply did not believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, those early church believers who did still faced the potential of growing weary or losing heart while struggling against sin (Hebrews 12:4).  Thus, Peter warned them to be on their guard.  It’s as if he was saying “Stay safe, because Satan is still out there!”

As Christians, each of us is personally responsible for knowing the truths in God’s Word so as to not be deceived.  We should have a working knowledge of what it is we believe as it governs how we live our lives.  Colossians 2:8 tells us to “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ”.  It is an important note for us today.  “See to it…,” Paul writes!  That tells me that it is a personal responsibility of every Christian to know what the word of God says.  This makes every activity and opportunity where we can learn very important, whether it be Bible Study, Sunday School, Worship Service, or any personal study.  This is how we keep ourselves from being misled by false teachings or logical philosophies that sound good but do not align with the word of God. 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. –Matthew 11:29 (NIV)

Enduring life without Jesus is exhausting.  When Jesus spoke these words from Matthew 11, he was calling us to live a life of grace instead, and to learn from him…to become his disciples, like Peter.  As we strive to live an enduring life in Christ, let us accept our responsibility to know what the word of God says, to understand the Gospel truth, and remember this key message today:  “Don’t let down your guard!”