Word of Christ are in "Red" 
These are the Last Days. These are the times of great danger, trials, and temptations. They are the times when Sin does exceedingly abound.
Many are professing Christianity but oppose the power of the Holy Spirit which enables them to live above sin in thought, word, and deed.
Our greatest threat as Christians is not so much from without as it is from the corruptions that lie within.
Yet right in the middle of this picture stands the inspired Word of God as a reminder to the devil and all of his "tools" that evil will not prevail. God will have the Last Word. II Timothy 3 gives us a very clear-cut view of the Last Days. In this message, we would like to break this picture down into several contrasts:
In this chapter, we see two different kinds of people operating in the Last Days. There are the ungodly. And then there are the "godly in Christ Jesus."
The Apostle Paul very distinctly describes the ungodly with the implication that the godly are the total opposite.
The ungodly are "lovers of their own selves" and "covetous." These are people who wear the garb of Christianity yet are extremely selfish and only concerned about their own interests. They don't really care if their interests conflict with the rights and comforts of others. Self and money are their chief focus. Their leading objective is to get and keep all that they can for themselves.
How do we describe the godly in the Last Days? They are dead to Self. They love God and others before themselves. They are very sensitive to the rights and comforts of their fellow man. Their main objective is to serve and benefit others rather than themselves. They will give of themselves - their gifts, talents, and resources - so that others may be blessed.
The ungodly are "boasters, proud, blasphemers...highminded." They are so full of themselves, valuing themselves above others. Everything they do is for show or to impress others. This idolatry of Self causes them to actually speak irreverently concerning the things of God and injuriously toward their fellow man.
"The godly man is the total opposite." Look for him. He is the man who is emptied of Self - always boasting in the Lord - never drawing attention to himself. He is not conceited nor puffed up. He considers others better than himself and desires to make others glad even if it costs him his own happiness. If he does any great work, he immediately gives God all of the Praise. He is a man of no reputation. He speaks of the Lord and His people with utmost reverence and respect.
The ungodly are "disobedient to parents" and "without natural affection." Look at the children in this day and hour. Many have no respect for their elders and cannot be told what to do. They are disrespectful, disobedient, and irresponsible. They will not be accountable to any one. At the same time, reports of Parents and Grandparents abusing or murdering their babies are escalating.
Among the godly, there are parents and grandparents who nurture and care for their own. They love, train, teach, admonish, and discipline them. The children, in return, respect and honor their elders. It is indeed a beautiful sight to behold. How lovely it is to see families, walking and living together in love and harmony as directed by the Holy Scriptures.
The ungodly are "trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady..." They avoid, at all costs, any kind of commitment whatsoever. They make many promises with the intention of never keeping one. If a rift should occur in a relationship, they are unwilling to be reconciled. They constantly provoke new contentions and disagreements with their loose, slanderous tongue. They have no control over their passions and appetites. Resultantly, they are wild, harsh, severe, treacherous, rash, willful, and inconsiderate in their dealings with others.
The godly man makes the best of friends. He is faithful, keeping all of his promises. At the slightest sign of offense, he is ready to apologize and make things right. His entire being is under the government of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the words of his mouth are pleasing unto the Lord. He does not speak disparagingly about his neighbor. He treats others in a gentle and mild manner. He loves good men and would never seek to betray them or be inconsiderate or rude to any.
The ungodly are "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." Their only interest is their sensual pleasure. They seek to constantly be amused and pampered.
The godly man, on the other hand, loves God above all. He is not seeking for cheap thrills or vain amusements. His is a more serious pursuit in life. He yearns to know God and make Him known.
"Believe it or not - most of the ungodly are found in somebody's church every Sunday." They profess to be Christians. They carry a Bible and even speak the Christian lingo. They frequent the Christian bookstores to purchase the latest books, videos, and CD's. Yet they totally deny the power that is available to live right. Their lives show no change whatsoever. They still do the same things they did as a sinner, frequent the same places, and hang around the same ungodly friends.
The godly definitely are "new creatures in Christ." They have been changed. And they have no intention of ever returning to the "pig sty" from whence they came. Their Christianity is exemplified on a daily basis as they are growing stronger and stronger in grace and faith. Their holiness of heart is not a creed but a definitive practice seem by all.
The "seducer" or "evil man" is a deceiver, imposter, or a juggler, if you will. He slyly and craftily leads people into error oftentimes through false miracles. Like a serpent, he winds his way into the affections and high estimations of the people. His main target are the "silly." These are weak-minded individuals who are easily charmed and flattered. Usually, they are men and women of wealth who are full of all kinds of passions or lusts.
These seducers are "men of corrupt minds," always opposing the real work of God. Because they "resist the truth," they lack discernment or any concept of right or wrong. They are "reprobate." In these Last Days, we are much aware that there are such seducers in our midst. As the days advance, they will indeed increase.
Nonetheless, in this very same picture, we see the "man of God" - the preacher of righteousness - who is a man of prayer and the Word and is striving for perfection. The Bible is his rule book. He is a man of integrity and truth. He speaks, lives by, preaches, and leads people into the Truth. Daily, he incorporates the Truth into his life, bringing himself unto perfection or completion. Because he is sold-out for God, he is persecuted - suffers injury, ridicule, exclusion, and disadvantage.
One thing we can look for in these Last Days is examples of godly men and women to follow. They may be few and far between, but they will be there right in the midst of the seduction and delusion. These are not individuals who preach like a house-of-fire and then live in sin. Their doctrine or teaching includes the whole counsel of God. Their "manner of life" which includes their overall plan or design is in accordance with the Scriptures.
Just as God promises that the seducer's "folly" will be manifested before all, even so will the "faith, longsuffering, charity" and "patience" of the "man of God" be seen before all.
In the Last Days, there will be two categories of people - those who are always seeking for some new notion and those who are settled and established in their beliefs.
The "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" are unstable as water. What they hear goes in one ear and out the other. They are constantly running hither and thither, fascinated by some "new" revelation or teaching. What knowledge they do happen to absorb never becomes assimilated into practice. Therefore, they live a roller coaster life - up one day and down the next. They live in their emotions. Their motto is - "If it makes me feel good, it must be God."
The ones who are "wise unto salvation" are those who "continue" or persevere in the truths that they have learned. They are not looking for a "New" Truth. They are simply endeavoring to become grounded in the Word - to become "assured of." Their main goal is to apply shoe leather to all the teaching which they have received.
May we make it our goal to always uphold the Word of God - no matter how dark the days may get.
It is and ever will remain the One and Only Light that can lead men out of Darkness. 
If you have not already done so, please consider trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. For more information on Salvation Click Here to view "How can I get to Heaven?"
 Send E-mail to: webslave for Christ ( russ@jesuswept.com ) with questions or comments about this web site and it's content. Last modified: Saturday, December 28, 2002 |
