The Times

Paul, the Apostle, in his second letter to Timothy, a young preacher trying to follow on in a Church established by the Apostle, says the following:

Know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:1ff)

It doesn’t take a theologian to understand the application of those words, knowing that they are a “perfect fit” for the United States of America, and multiple other Countries around the World. While our Nation is not yet suffering the ravages of so many evils that exist in other places, the war waged by the Enemy is growing among those who choose to resist the Truth and have become corrupt in mind. (see vs. 8)

Paul told Timothy that those who want to live a Godly life in Christ will be persecuted. Evil people will become worse, deceiving because they are deceived. But he (Paul) does not leave it at that – providing no hope or rescue. Instead he gives wise counsel to Timothy, and thereby to the Church Timothy served, and ultimately to us, 21st Century Believers:

You know those who taught you, and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (vss. 14-17)

As evil grows, and envelopes those who are weak, Godless, focused on Worldly issues and self aggrandizement, it is only the Truth that will stem the tide and provide a haven of safety for those who choose rightly and embrace it. When other turn from the Truth, embracing the World’s myths, those who would be Godly must be serious about everything regarding God’s design and purpose. Hardships will come, but the proclamation of the Word of God must prevail, and every Believer must fulfill his/her ministry.

The “times” are here. . .and evil is growing more difficult every day. Where is your personal commitment to Truth, discipline, and Christlike living. It’s now. . .right now!