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.