Dangerous Times and Dangerous People

Dangerous Times and Dangerous People

Realizing that the end of his life was near (2 Timothy 4:6-7), from a Roman prison the Apostle Paul writes his final inspired letter, Second Timothy. Paul takes this opportunity to instruct, inform, encourage, remind and warn Timothy about various aspects of Christian service, responsibilities and doctrine, faithful and faithless people, worldly ways and dangers, and much more.

In the middle of this letter there are five verses in which Paul warns Timothy about Dangerous Times and Dangerous People. These ‘last days’ are the church age (the time between Christ’s ascension and His second coming). Paul is detailing for Timothy some of the challenges and influences that the church will have to deal with to not only survive, but to thrive.

• 2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

And in the middle of these five verses, in the midst of this description of worldly ways (read what Jesus had to say in Mark 7:17-23), are four words that really caught my attention.

Unthankful

• Ephesians 5:20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
• James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
• To be ungrateful is to deny the giving, generous and gracious nature of God.

Unholy

• Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
• 1 Peter 1:15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
• To be wicked is to live in direct opposition to God and disregard His call to become more and more like Him.

Unloving

• Luke 10:27 So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
• 1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
• Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you
• To be hard-hearted is to reject God’s love and His clear commands to love others.

Unforgiving

• Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
• Colossians 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
• To be irreconcilable is to mock God’s mercy and resist His plan to reconcile all things.

Amid the itemizing of human depravity in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the four words above shook me.

To embrace and exhibit these four characteristics

is to shake your fists in the face of God!

If not for the grace of God and the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit,

I would even more regularly yield to the rebellious nature common to every human.

But in my weakness,

His grace is sufficient.

We live in Dangerous Times and throughout our daily lives we regularly interact with Dangerous People; people who hate and/or deny Jesus Christ.

Prayer

I pray that God will give me and all followers of Jesus compassion for the lost and wisdom about how to guard against the evil influences of the world; all without being critical, condemning or confrontational. I also pray that Christians will lay aside their pride, admit, confess and turn away from their own sins, and work diligently and humbly to let their lights shine before men in such a way that God is glorified.  I pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, the name above all names.  Amen

Closer

Closer

What is going to keep you from getting closer to Christ in 2017?

• Mark 8:36-37 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Will it be:

Pride

• John 12:25-26 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
• What do you love so much about your life that you are willing to dishonor the one Who humbled Himself for You?

Prestige

• John 12:42-43 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
• Who is it that you are trying to impress?

Possessions

• Luke 18:22-23 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
• Why are ‘things’ more important to you than your relationship with Jesus?

Prejudice

• Galatians 3:27-28 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
• Who have you prejudged based on race, ethnicity, gender, social status, etc.?

Passions

• Romans 13:13-14 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
• How does your life not reflect your love for Christ?

Priorities

• Colossians 1:17-18 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
• Where does Christ rank in your life?

If you have been spiritually reborn into God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ, walk with Him daily in 2017. Be thankful for your salvation. You should always seek to be closer to Him.

Don’t take Jesus for granted.

• Colossians 2:6-7 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

Prayer

Loving Father and Faithful Friend, draw Your children closer to You through Your Son, Your Spirit, Your Word, Your Church, Your Providential Care and Your Sovereign Plans. Help us to always recognize that we can be closer, more obedient and more faithful servants. Empower us to live lives that honor You. Use us to draw others to salvation in Jesus Christ by the lives we live, the love we show and the good news we share. As always, I pray in the precious name of my Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.