Dangerous times

January 9, 2021 (Saturday)

 

Yesterday we looked at 1 Timothy 4, in his second Book Paul expands the picture of the last days. Speaking of the end times, I plan on starting a series on the end times January 17, 2021 at church. Consider yourself invited.

 

Paul cautioned Timothy, “Understand that the last days will be dangerous times.” [2 Timothy 3:1 CEB] The idea of “dangerous” is also translated “difficult.” The Greek word carries both meanings. It also gives the impression that the last days will be soul sucking, mind numbing, and energy draining days. Sounds like 2020? And beyond?

 

Paul then spends the next seven verses describing people involved in the church. The first of these sequence is, “People will be selfish and love money.” [2 Timothy 3:2a CEB] Something most of us are not paying attention to is how the middle class is shrinking and the gap between ultra-rich and poor is widening. It’s something that has grown by grotesque proportions. When selfishness rules the heart, families and societies will collapse.

 

Paul continues, “They will be the kind of people who brag and who are proud. They will slander others, and they will be disobedient to their parents. They will be ungrateful, unholy, unloving, contrary, and critical. They will be without self-control and brutal, and they won’t love what is good.” [2 Timothy 3:2b – 3 CEB] Like a jackhammer Paul fleshes out what selfishness does to us. Pride. Slander. This is the state of humanity. Paul tells us in the last days, this will only get worse. You get the picture.

 

I just want to pull out two more things about these people that jump out like a predator taking down its prey. “They will love pleasure instead of loving God.” [2 Timothy 3:4b CEB] In 2020 lots of things pleasurable things were taken away from us. These things were not bad things, but it’s made me stop and think. We were isolated from each other, unable to move freely around, and told to stay at home. I can’t imagine what this year was like for those whose life depended on pleasure.

 

One thing that has shocked me; the life or death stand people have taken on the election. I wonder if what Paul says next applies, “They will look like they are religious but deny God’s power. Avoid people like this.” [2 Timothy 3:5 CEB] I am dismayed when Christians align themselves with a party, or position, or person to the point of forgetting Jesus.

 

Forgetting, “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” [Romans 8:37 NLT] No human government or system will last. When all is said and done, Jesus will return and ALL nations will be under His control and authority.

 

What I think this pandemic is ultimately doing is exposing the quality of our faith. Paul noted that, “Their minds are corrupt and their faith is counterfeit.” [2 Timothy 3:8b CEB] A harsh reality behind the Greek word translated “counterfeit” means “reprobate.” Reprobate means disqualified, in the extreme: unsavable.

 

A mind corrupted by the selfishness of sin and fake faith are really bad things. The “almost Christian” is a danger to themselves and the church. I’m not judging, just sounding the alarm. Take a “fearless moral inventory” and ask the Holy Spirit to show you the truth about yourself.