We read 2 Timothy 3 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today, and there couldn't be a better description of our present times! Written about 2,000 years ago! Look at verses 1-5:
1 But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. 3 [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. 4 [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God. 5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].
Every area of humanity is covered here! There is not one thing mentioned that we haven't already observed to some degree! Notice also that there will be 'religious' people, claiming to be Christians, who have never received JESUS as Lord and personal Savior! They will cling to their religious traditions, but there will be NO power in their lives. It is more important now than ever before that we be continually preaching the TRUE Gospel of JESUS Christ so that those who have never been born again, can be! Our instructions can be found in verses 14-17:
14 But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them], 15 And how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you and give you the understanding for salvation which comes through faith in Christ Jesus [through the leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. 16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), 17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
AMEN! Let's continue to be students of, and DOERS of, the Word of God! Follow the specific leading of the Spirit of God Who lives IN us in order to be WHERE God wants us to be, doing WHAT God wants us to do! THAT is TRUE success and prosperity! AMEN! Here is Hillsong, again, with "Tell The World", which continues to be THE most important message!
Shalom in Him!
