Are you wresting the Word of God, or resting in THE WORD of God? Compare 2 Peter 3:16 with Matthew 11:28,29.
THOSE WHO WREST THE WORD OF GOD- 2 Peter 3:16
1. They are unlearned- They are not taught of God and yet are teachers of the law and professors of righteousness. They are ever learning but never coming to a knowledge of the TRUTH, as it is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 2:17-23; 2 Tim. 3:7.
2. They are unstable- Not being rooted and built up in Christ and His Gospel of grace, they have no strength to stand, no foundation upon which to build. There hope is in their ability, their works, their efforts at keeping the law, and run to and fro looking for some new means or method of becoming righteous, They are as children, "tossed about by every wind of doctrine," Ephesians 4:14.
3. They wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction- This word describes the method of torture by putting someone to the rack. They twist and turn the Scriptures to fit their understanding, being blind and without the Spirit of God. They make grace a merit (Rom. 11:6); faith a work (Jn. 6:28); righteousness something man works out (Romans 10:3); salvation a right (Matt. 7:22); Christ as anything but THE SUBSTITUTE (Jn 6:42).
How ominous a description of so called "christians" of our generation. A paste on religion based on slogans, fads, billboards and bumper stickers, that can be taken off just as quickly as it is put on. The recent billboard campaign sharing a word from 'God' is an example. It has 'God' expressing himself in modern day hip hop jargon ("that Love thy Neighbor thing..."). It has 'God' addressing men as a frustrated teacher ("have you read my #1 bestseller? There will be a test"). The Lord Jesus Christ is nowhere mentioned. You can't declare One you don't know!
THOSE WHO REST IN THE WORD OF GOD- Matt. 11:28,29
1. They have learned of Christ- God the Spirit having opened their blind eyes to see Him as their wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption, 1 Cor. 1:30.
2. They come to Christ- The Spirit of God leads the redeemed to the Redeemer, whose blood and righteousness alone give them acceptance with God, Ephesians 1:6,7.
3. They rest in Christ- HE IS THEIR ALL IN ALL, Colossians 2:10.