2 Peter 3:17 says “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.” This verse comes in the context of Peter’s warnings about false teachers who will arise and lead people astray. The phrase “fall from your secure position” refers to believers being led away from the truth of the gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ into destructive heresies and immoral living.
There are a few key things this phrase communicates:
1. Believers have a secure position in Christ
Peter calls his readers “beloved” to remind them they are loved by God and have security in their relationship with Christ. When someone puts their faith in Jesus for salvation, they are brought into a saving relationship with God where they experience forgiveness, adoption, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This grants them a secure position as children of God and members of His family (John 1:12, Romans 8:15-17). Believers do not need to earn or work for this position – it is a gift of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
2. There is a danger of falling away from this secure position
Although believers have a secure standing before God in Christ, Peter warns it is possible to be led astray and “fall from” this position. While he assures Christians they are eternally saved and can have confidence in their salvation (1 Peter 1:3-5), he knows the disturbing potential to abandon the truth and be entangled in doctrinal falsehoods or carnal living. Born again Christians have a secure position in one sense, but they are not immune to wandering from God’s revealed will and plan for their lives.
3. Falling away is often due to the influence of false teachers and worldliness
Peter specifies it is “lawless people” who carry believers away from their secure position in Christ. False teachers introduce destructive heresies, twist Scripture, and emphasize worldly living over godliness (2 Peter 2 details their corrupt character and conduct). When Christians listen to these deceptive voices and adopt unbiblical views or behaviors, they are led astray from the faith, hope, and way of life God has called them to.
4. Falling away leads to instability and lack of steadfastness
The end result of falling away from one’s secure position in Christ is a loss of “stability” – meaning waivering commitment, inconsistency, doubt, confusion, and lack of steadfastness. Believers who are impacted by false teaching and ungodly influence often become unstable, restless, and even ineffective in their Christian faith. They lose their sure footing and confidence in the truth of the gospel.
In summary, “fall from your secure position” is a vivid warning from Peter about the real possibility of Christians forsaking their firm standing in Christ as children of God and entering into theological confusion, sinful lifestyles, or incomplete Christian living. Only by remaining rooted in the truth of God’s Word can believers stand secure and live stable, steadfast lives of faith in Christ.
5. Peter’s advice: Be on guard
Because of the reality of dangerous false teaching, Peter advised believers to be on guard so they would not be “carried away.” Christians must be watchful and careful to not be deceived or misled by unbiblical doctrines and worldly influences (Ephesians 5:6-17, Colossians 2:8). This requires being regularly instructed in the Scriptures, relying on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, submitting to godly leadership in a Bible-believing church, and inspecting teaching through the lens of biblical discernment (Acts 17:11). Staying grounded in God’s Word is key to remaining secure in one’s position in Christ (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
6. God preserves His true children but believers have a responsibility
While God secures His people in salvation by His power and promises (John 10:27-30, Romans 8:38-39), believers also have a responsibility to hold firmly to the faith, resist false teaching, pursue holiness, and walk in the truth (Hebrews 3:6, 12-14). Standing guard against doctrinal and moral deviation is needed by the regenerate Christian, through the strength of the Holy Spirit, to avoid falling from one’s stable position in Christ. God’s sovereignty in salvation does not negate the need for perseverance by grace (Philippians 2:12-13).
In summary, 2 Peter 3:17 is a call for vigilance in the life of faith. Christians must beware of succumbing to influential falsehoods or immorality that can lead to instability. Remaining fixed in one’s secure position in Christ requires understanding of biblical truth, Bible-based discernment, active dependence on the Holy Spirit, connection to a solid church, and adherence to the Scriptures in both belief and conduct.
7. Connection to the broader context
Peter’s warning not to “fall from your secure position” comes within a section of teaching focused on the end times and second coming of Christ (2 Peter 3:3-18). Peter reminds his readers of the promised return of Jesus as motivation to live godly lives. The Lord has delayed His coming so more can be saved (2 Peter 3:9). Yet scoffers will mock the promise of Christ’s return and teach heresy. So Peter exhorts believers to remember what was foretold and to be on guard (3:17). A healthy eschatology should lead to holy living, not doctrinal drifting.
8. Additional Scripture warnings about falling away
The theme of remaining steadfast and holding fast to one’s faith in Christ against opposition and false teaching appears often in the New Testament:
- Hebrews 3:12-14 warns against falling away from God by being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
- 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 cautions about being led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived.
- Galatians 5:4 states those seeking to be justified by law have fallen from grace and severed from Christ.
- 2 Timothy 4:3-4 foresees a time when people will not endure sound doctrine but will wander into myths.
- 1 Timothy 4:1 predicts people will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.
So in 2 Peter 3:17, a whole body of apostolic teaching is summarized with a vivid word picture: Take care believers, lest you fall from the secure position you have in relationship with Christ!
9. Important conclusions about falling away
When considering the sobering topic of falling away, several conclusions can be drawn:
- Genuine Christians can be influenced toward doctrinal and moral decline by false teachers and worldliness.
- Falling away does not mean loss of eternal life but severe spiritual harm is possible if believers stray.
- God promises to complete His work of salvation in true Christians but also warns against faith-damaging unbelief and disobedience.
- Serious consequences both temporal and eternal result from turning away from the truth to follow deceitful philosophies.
- Perseverance in faith during trials demonstrates true saving faith – but drifting away signals weak or non-existent faith.
- God provides His chosen people enabling power to overcome false teaching and remain spiritually secure.
In Summary, 2 Peter 3:17 is a clear call for vigilance and greater effort to stand firm biblically, live properly, and finish strong – all by God’s sufficient grace.