The Dangers of the Last Days
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
Paul’s Charge to Timothy
But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work
2 Timothy 3 New Living Translation (NLT)
I don’t know about you but as I read this passage from Paul’s letter to Timothy, it sounds to be an apt description of our times. Seeing all that is going on in the world today can be quite disturbing. But as Christians, we should not lose our nerve. We are clearly warned in the bible that these things will happen. It does not mean that something has gone wrong, or that God has lost control. As we approach the last day’s we can expect the situation in the world to get worse.
Paul’s instruction to Timothy was very clear, that despite everything that was going on in the world around him, he was to keep his nerve and to continue to remain faithful to the things that he had been taught. For us too, the bible is the only true source of guidance showing us the way that we should live if we want to please God. Sadly, living God’s way is no longer considered to be politically correct and it will make us unpopular. If people are to come to accept the truth, then we must love them unconditionally rather than judge them. Just as the father did when he welcomed his prodigal son when he returned home. (but more of this on Sunday)
David
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