“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 Pet. 2:22). Have you returned to the filth of the world? If you have been born again by believing and being baptized, have you listened to the lies of the devil and turned away from God (Mk. 16:16; 2 Pet. 2:18-20)? Have you spurned the love of God and trampled the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:29)? Why? Other than passing pleasure, what have you gained (Heb. 11:24-26)? Damnation! “It would have been better for not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to [you]” (2 Pet. 2:21).

“So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:13). Yes, the Lord will forgive you. He will have mercy on your sin-stained soul. The Spirit revealed, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” and “if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 Jn. 1:9; 2:1). Will you not take advantage of the longsuffering of the Lord and return to Him (2 Pet. 3:9)?

Steve F. Deaton