2 Timothy 3 – 4
Verses 3:2-5 hit me huge today:
2 You see, the world will be filled with narcissistic, money-grubbing, pretentious, arrogant, and abusive people. They will rebel against their parents and will be ungrateful, unholy, 3 uncaring, coldhearted, accusing, without restraint, savage, and haters of anything good. 4 Expect them to be treacherous, reckless, swollen with self-importance, and given to loving pleasure more than they love God. 5 Even though they may look or act like godly people, they’re not. They deny His power. I tell you: Stay away from the likes of these.
I started with just one verse and kept seeing more critical stuff. The first part that stuck me was the word “narcissistic”. We have become a country full of people who will post intimate feelings and details of life on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for all to read. We vacation it makes our “timeline”. We eat something special and it makes our “timeline”. Heck, some even post when they have bodily functions happen. I am just as guilty as the next guy. Unfortunately today we have the “narcissist and chief” running our country who feels it necessary to take “selfies” at important state events.
I could pick each one and show everyone how even people thinking they are following the Way are drifting. “Money-grubbing” is another one that has overtaken everyone since this has become less a world of the rising tide lifting all boats, to a jump in my rocket and thrive. People tend to be more “arrogant” because they now have access to volumes of data, so in hours one can become an “expert” on any subject and command conversations. As you can see this whole section speaks to so many of us, on many levels.
They key is to know it’s happening within ourselves and correct it ASAP!! Don’t say “that’s me and grace will cover my sin” but rather change. I think we will all be shocked when we stand before God and find that knowingly sinning is an awful offense against HIM.
Verses 4:2 & 3 are more encouragement and warnings to us today:
2 go out and preach the word! Go whether it’s an opportune time or not! Reprove, warn, and encourage; but do so with all the patience and instruction needed to fulfill your calling3 because a time will come when some will no longer tolerate sound teaching. Instead, they will live by their own desires; they’ll scratch their itching ears by surrounding themselves with teachers who approve of their lifestyles and tell them what they want to hear.
We need to stop planning and go forth to tell all about Jesus. Tomorrow cannot wait, it’s not our choice. We need to also watch since many are preaching false doctrines that may lead people away from God. The “COEXIST” movement is one of the most dangerous. The main intent is not to have religions argue and kill each other, but rather love and live harmoniously. The underlying intent is to dilute the core message that Jesus is Lord and the WAY to salvation. It’s not something earned or obtained, but rather something given freely by God to all who believe.
Verse 4:7 is Paul’s farewell to his brothers in Christ:
I have fought the good fight, I have stayed on course and finished the race, and through it all, I have kept believing.
Think about this Paul has finished his ministry on earth and is preparing to “be with God.” Later it talks about “crowns” and the like which kind of bother me since it implies heaven will be a class society also. We need to realize that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, all will bask in God’s glory equally! The death row repentance to the lifelong worker in Jesus will all share equally in God’s kingdom. Does that mean stop? NO WAY!! We need to keep fighting to death for Jesus.