2 Tim 3 — Godlessness in the Last Days, God-Breathed Scripture
2 Tim 4 — Preach the Word, Final Greetings
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
Paul paints an ugly picture for the last days, the end times. It’s hard to know if these are the last days, but we see with great certainty that our society is becoming more and more self-centered. Names of infamous people come to mind when reading through the list in 2 Timothy 3:2-5 beginning with “lovers of themselves, lovers of money” and ending with “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” Lord help me to be able to see this clearly, not to be caught in the deception of this age–let me “have nothing to do with such people” (3:5b).
Every time I read 3:7, I think of C.S. Lewis’ statement about Narnia (in the beginning of the series), “always Winter, but never Christmas.” It seems there are those who are “always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (3:7). Adding diplomas and degrees to their resume, but not getting any wiser. Lord I pray for wisdom, for an eagerness to know your word and your will for my life for your glory. Keep me from being gullible and swayed by this world, help me remain resolute and focused on your ways.
There is not much comfort in this verse, “in fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (4:12). Thanks Paul! That’s exactly what I was hoping for–not!! Seriously, we must not be so content with our lives as to become ineffective. As the world slips from bad to worse, there is no way for me to avoid trouble, unless we are completely ineffective or so focused on self-preservation that we would be unwilling to take a risk for Christ. Persecution will follow, though it will come in many forms. If we oppose those who are identified in the list found in 3:2-5, we can expect repercussions. Paul reminds us to be prepared.
Once again, Paul reminds us of the great need to understand Scripture, especially the Old Testament (in our definition): “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (3:16-17). This strong truth is the basis for the present study of God’s Word through daily reading and learning. The more we read and reflect, the more we ask God for insight, the stronger we become. God will certainly bless us, though these blessings may not look like we expect. Lord please keep inspiring us to read and understand, to know you more and more each day.
Paul’s final charge to Timothy is one we should all receive: “be prepared in season and out of season…with great patience and careful instruction” (4:2). We must do this in order to see those who are creating their own flavor of doctrine, who “Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (4:3). I hear this as a warning for sure, but also as advice for churches who are growing so fast that they may lose focus, yet love Christ.
As we adjust to being in a new town, we are looking for a church home once again. Everyone wants to appear modern and progressive, but at what cost? Being the new people, we have a rare opportunity to see things that most cannot. Lord I pray we will be useful in this time to help your servants by providing valuable insight without be judgmental. Help us to be receptive and observant at the same time. For your glory, Lord, not ours!