A Spiritual BOLO

“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand; take care that you are not carried away with the error lawless people and lose your stability” (v17).

“Calling all cars. Calling all cars. Be on the look out for…” The cops call this a BOLO. That’s short for “be on the look out.” It’s the warning to every officer to keep their eyes peeled, usually for bad guys. Known suspects or criminals are in the area. Law enforcement hopes they can spot ’em and stop ’em before they commit another crime and do more damage. As he wraps up his second letter, Peter issues a spiritual BOLO. He sends out one last alert for folks to keep their eyes peeled for a crew of con artists. Don’t fall for their flimflam. Don’t let them knock you off your pins. 

Be on the look out.

The apostle warns his readers because they are very dear to him. For the fourth and final time in this letter, he calls them by his favorite nickname (3:1, 8, 14). “Beloved” (v17). It’s a term of endearment for his deep affection for them. This letter hasn’t shown up addressed to “occupant” or “current resident.” Pete knows these folks. He has a soft spot in his heart for them. Chances are he traveled through this part of Asia Minor at one point and planted churches in places like “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bythina” (1Pet 1:1). The term also tells us that these are followers of Jesus and loved by God. The Lord loves them so much that He not only rescued them from their own sin but sends them a warning this former fisherman. He saves us because He loves us. He warns us because He loves us.

Be on the look out.

Pete not only warns us but hands us a scouting report for this team of spiritual snake oil salesmen. He spends an entire chapter telling us all about them. Now he wants us to use this intel and keep our heads on a swivel, “knowing this beforehand” (v17). This is the Greek verb proginosko, which means to know in advance or to have foreknowledge. It’s where we get our word “prognostication.” He’s no psychic or palm reader. He can predict the future because it’s already happened to other churches. And he wants us to be warned.

Be on the look out.

Once more, Rocky points to the purpose of this letter. He’s sounding the alarm about a posse of false teachers who infiltrated local churches and destroy them from the inside out with their malignant message (2:1-3). They’re money-grubbers looking to bilk believers for an easy score (2:3, 14-15). They’re viscous sexual predators (2:2, 6-7, 10, 14, 18). The apostle doesn’t want his friends to be caught off. He desperately wants them to know in advance that these con artists are on their way. Pete’s made it clear that the Great Shepherd will defend His flock from these wolves (2:9). 

While Christ will most certainly come to the rescue of His church, we need to know ahead of time that trouble is on the way. We’re suckers for these hucksters if we take the attitude of “what I don’t know can’t hurt me,” we’re in BIG trouble. Two thousand years later, false teachers are still sneaking into local churches and doing damage. If they haven’t hit your doors yet, it’s only a matter of time. Get your head out of the sand. Pete’s given us a scouting report. He’s sent out an ABP. Be ready. Be on your guard. 

Be on the look out. 

So what do we do when these false teachers hit town? “Take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability” (v17). I’m not crazy about the ESV’s use of “take care.” That sounds very passive and wimpy compared to what we’re called to do. The original text uses the Greek verb phulasso. This is the idea guarding closely, protecting, defending with vigilance. Picture an armed guard standing watch at crucial military installation. He wont’ just “take care.” This sentry is on high alert. He’s locked and loaded. He’s more than ready for whatever his attackers have in store.

The apostle also lets us in on the consequences of a spiritual security breech. Our enemy could sweep us away with and cause us to doubt in the very Gospel that Jesus used to save us in the first place. Don’t get “carried away” (v17). Don’t “lose your own stability” (v17). Our foundation gets shaky when we fail to follow Jesus’ commands. “Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Mt 7:24). False teachers dupe believers into disobedience. When that happens, our foundation begins to crack. If we’re truly followers of Jesus, it doesn’t mean we lose our salvation. But it does mean that we won’t live the overflowing life of goodness that God has for His followers (Jn 10:10). Don’t get carried away. Don’t lose your foundation.

Two thousand years later, this BOLO is still in effect. False teachers are out there. They’re still up to their same old con. Be on guard. Be locked and loaded. Be on the look out.