READ:
2 Timothy 3:1-9
" Mark my words" Those are the kind of words that can really wreck a person. If you turn out to be correct, people might not remember, but if you’re wrong, they will very likely never let you forget it! And this is how are passage begins today; with Paul prophesying through the Holy Spirit about the state of the church in the last days.
So,
was Paul right?? Will he be right? What does he say? Let’s carefully review it.
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will
be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient
to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous,
without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash,
conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of
godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." (2
Timothy 3:1-5)
It’s
safe to say that Paul is and will be right on the mark! Who could deny
this? Even unbelievers would struggle to deny that such things are rampant in
our society! Let’s look closely at a couple things and see for ourselves. What
about "lovers of self"? We’re obsessed with ourselves from sun up to
sun down. Media says “Be the you that you want to be. Be happy and do what you
want by having what you want." Education says, “Get the degree you need,
to do the job that you want, to make the money you need, to buy the things you
want." Fashion says," Buy these clothes so you can look the way you
want. People will love the way you look!" We don’t need to continue much
further to exhibit that many are in fact lovers of self.
How
about "lovers of pleasure"? If it feels good, do it! From alcohol and
drugs to pornography and illicit sex, nothing is off limits in our culture
these days. If you want to do it, who can tell you it’s wrong? We love pleasure
and it’s easy to see just by looking at where many spend their money. Food,
sports, TV, movies, video games, shopping malls, and music are all things we
get pleasure from, and our culture LOVES these things, don’t they?
So
what do we do in response to this? Brothers and sisters, we need to be
intentional if we want to stay focused. We are at least closer to Jesus' return
than Paul was by 2000 years so we need to stand watch, be alert, pay close
attention! This doesn't mean that we hide ourselves from unbelievers. We do
need to follow Jesus' lead in our lives and listen to his voice. There may be
people he tells you to stop hanging around with. Pay close attention to him
alone and he will keep you from all unrighteousness and lead you in the way
everlasting.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1.
Look over Paul's list of
sins in chapter 3 and prayerfully consider if you find yourself in any of them.
Spend time in confession and repentance. Jesus will be gentle, but clear.
2.
The verses prior (2 Timothy
2: 25-26) talk about the people living in the many sins that are noted in
chapter three. Paul says they need to be brought “to their senses and escape
from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
Spend some time praying for the lost people in your life, in Steinbach, and in
Canada. Pray that they would find their way to Jesus and that many might be
saved! Journal any pictures or promises the Lord may show you.
3.
"Have nothing to do
with such people" (2 timothy 3:5) Ask the Holy Spirit to show you if there
are people in your friendship groups or social networks that are not having a
good impact on you. Seek Jesus as to what He wants you to do about it. Ask if
there are boundaries you could set up or accountability that would help you to
stay focused on following Jesus.
